Sexual Harassment is any kind of sexually determined behaviour that is deemed unwelcome. Sexual Harassment can be either words or gestures or both. It could be direct behaviour, or through implication. According to the Pakistani laws and the Supreme Court, sexual harassment could be in the form of:

1:Physical advances and physical contact
2:Demand or request for sexual favours
3:Sexually coloured remarks
4:Showing pornography
5:Demand or request for sexual favours
6:Any other unwelcome physical, verbal, non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature

In Pakistan, the issue of women's protection has been an ongoing challenge, with many factors such as cultural practices, legal frameworks, and social attitudes influencing the effectiveness of safeguarding women's rights. Here is a detailed overview of the protection mechanisms for women in Pakistan:

1. Legal Framework for Women’s Protection

Pakistan has established several laws aimed at protecting women's rights, though their implementation and enforcement remain inconsistent:

• The Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010: This law provides a mechanism to address harassment faced by women in workplaces, ensuring safe working environments.
• The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill: This proposed law seeks to address the issue of domestic violence against women by providing legal protection, such as restraining orders, and offering shelters for victims. However, it has faced political hurdles and resistance in certain provinces.
• The Anti-Honor Killing Law (Qisas and Diyat Law): The law was amended in 2016 to restrict the practice of honor killings by preventing families from pardoning the killers of women in cases of honor-based violence. Though the law exists, cases of honor killings continue to be reported, often due to weak implementation.
• The Women’s Protection Bill (2006): This law, which made amendments to the Hudood Ordinances, aimed to protect women from laws that were seen as discriminatory, particularly in cases of rape and adultery. However, challenges remain in its full application.
• The Acid Control and Crime Prevention Bill, 2011: This law addresses the issue of acid attacks on women by regulating the sale of acid and providing for the punishment of those who carry out such attacks.
• The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929: This law prohibits the marriage of girls under the age of 16, although it is often violated in rural areas where early marriages are more common.

Despite the existence of these laws, their enforcement is hindered by societal norms, a lack of awareness, corruption, and often reluctance from local law enforcement to take action.

2. Institutional and Governmental Support

• Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR): The MoHR is tasked with promoting and protecting human rights, including women's rights. It works on creating policies, addressing violations, and advocating for gender equality. However, its efforts can be limited by the broader political climate and the challenges in rural areas.
• National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW): The NCSW is an autonomous body that works on promoting and protecting women’s rights, conducting research, making policy recommendations, and raising awareness about gender-based discrimination.
• Women’s Police Stations: These are special police units designed to deal with cases of violence against women. Though they exist in some urban areas, their accessibility and efficiency in rural regions are limited.
• Shelters and Safe Houses: Pakistan has a number of government and NGO-run shelters for women victims of violence. These shelters offer temporary housing, counseling, legal aid, and rehabilitation for women facing abuse.

3. Socio-Cultural Context and Challenges

• Patriarchal Norms: Pakistan's deeply rooted patriarchal society poses a significant challenge to women's protection. Traditional norms and the dominance of male authority in many households often lead to the acceptance of domestic violence, early marriage, and other forms of gender-based violence.
• Honor-based Violence: The concept of "honor" often results in severe violence against women, including honor killings, acid attacks, and forced marriages. These acts are frequently justified by societal views on family honor, making it difficult for the state to prosecute offenders.
• Economic Disempowerment: Many women in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas, are economically dependent on male family members, which limits their ability to seek protection or assert their rights. The lack of financial independence makes it challenging for women to leave abusive situations or pursue legal action.
• Gender-based Violence: The prevalence of sexual harassment, domestic violence, and trafficking of women is a major concern. Women in Pakistan often face intimidation, physical assault, and psychological trauma, with many cases going unreported due to fear of retribution or stigma.
• Access to Justice: Women face significant barriers in accessing justice, including discriminatory practices in the legal system, limited availability of female legal practitioners, and corruption within the judiciary. Many women are deterred from pursuing legal action due to social stigmas or the threat of retaliation.

4. Civil Society and Women’s Rights Advocacy

Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and women’s rights activists play a crucial role in raising awareness about women’s issues and advocating for change. Prominent organizations like Aurat Foundation, Shirkat Gah, and Bedari work on gender equality, providing support services, legal assistance, and lobbying for reforms. They also engage in campaigns against domestic violence, child marriage, and discrimination.

Media and Public Awareness Campaigns: Activists and organizations also utilize media to highlight issues related to women’s protection. Public awareness campaigns on domestic violence, child marriage, and sexual harassment help educate the public about women's rights and create pressure for legal reforms and better protection.

5. Education and Empowerment

• Access to Education: Education is a powerful tool for women's empowerment. In Pakistan, many women still face barriers to education, particularly in rural areas where cultural restrictions limit girls' access to schooling. However, initiatives to promote girls' education and female literacy have made some progress in recent years, improving opportunities for women to gain economic independence and resist violence.
• Skill Development and Employment: Vocational training programs for women help them gain economic independence and reduce their vulnerability to exploitation. Efforts to improve women’s participation in the workforce also play a significant role in boosting their social status and self-confidence.

6. Challenges to Women’s Protection

Despite the presence of laws and institutions dedicated to women's protection, the implementation of these measures remains weak. The following challenges continue to hinder women's safety:

• Lack of Law Enforcement: Inconsistent enforcement of laws, particularly in rural areas, means that many women continue to face violence without recourse to justice. Local police often fail to intervene or are reluctant to register cases involving domestic violence or honor-based crimes.
• Cultural Resistance to Gender Equality: Deeply ingrained gender biases, reinforced by traditional interpretations of religion and culture, hinder progress in achieving true gender equality. This resistance often results in a reluctance to uphold women’s rights or punish perpetrators of violence.
• Political Will: Political leaders may make promises to protect women's rights, but practical changes are often slow to materialize. Political corruption, lack of public accountability, and competing priorities often delay reforms and the allocation of resources necessary to protect women effectively.