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KABUL (SW): Due to sensitive nature of this report, names and location are changed.
Setara: I was a student, but due to problems at home I used to work too. First few days were fine at work, however, later on the workload kept me swamped and I was not able to attend classes at the university. Eventually, due to my prolonged absence, I was called to the Dean’s office where he demanded sexual favors against my absence from classes. I had two choice, to obey his desires or leave my studies behind. I chose the latter.
Shigofa: My financial problems were getting worse every day. I faced new problems, and I was running out of options. Out of pity, a friend of mine introduced me to an employer who was looking for employees. I was happy and hopeful, but not many days later, the advisor at the office where I was employed started to pass lewd comments. He demanded a few days later if I provide him with sexual favors, my financial problems would go away. I had no choice. Still, his ludicrous comments and lewd gestures haunt me.
Zohra: Poverty hit me like a shovel when my husband left me. I tried every means, and every friend to help me. No one did, eventually I joined the security forces. First few days went smooth, the officer in charge finished all the paper work, but at the end he kept the documents to himself. One day he called to see me in his office. He closed the door and started to fondle me. I screamed, but he warned me he will expel me if I say a word to a soul. I am still working under him due to my financial constraints.
The above stories are just a few stories of sexual harassment in governmental and non-governmental offices. Two years ago, a committee was formed in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) consisting of civil society activists, women rights activists and members of relevant ministries. The committee worked to draft Anti-Harassment Law. The Law was passed by the parliament, and was dispatched to the President for endorsement.
Authorities at the MoWA believe that the Law is a big step to ensure women’s safety as working force in the society. The authorities also think that any one not abiding it will be prosecuted based on the new Law.
Spoghmai Wardak, deputy minister at the MoWA, said the Law is a guide to public so that they know what is considered sexual harassment and what constitutes trafficking in person. “Committees are formed in working places, where the sole purpose of these committees is to implement the Anti-Harassment Law. The biggest challenge these committees face is that the victims of sexual harassment do not cooperate with the committee”, informed Wardak. She urged the victims to open up to the committees.
But, most women are not aware of the Law or refrain from complaints of sexual harassment due to job security.
Maryam Haidari, a citizen, said based on her experience in different organizations, sexual harassment is rampant at the workplace. She added she faced such situations many times. The sexual harassment is not just limited to governmental entities, it has been practiced in non-governmental organization and private businesses too.
Authorities at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA), have said the Anti-Harassment Law should be implemented equally in government and non-government and private sector as well.
Abdul Fatah Ahmadzai, spokesman for the MoLSA, told Salam Watandar that the President has endorsed the Law and has ordered that this Law should be implemented in all working places.
Shabnam Simya, deputy director at the Kabul chapter of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), has said based on surveys, women are harassed in the working place in different ways, but fears about losing job and integrity keep the victims mum. According to her, based on the Law the victim should provide proof of sexual harassment, so that the administration of the work place and courts can prosecute the culprit.
Human trafficking is the exploitation or forced transfer or domination of a person to exploit by cunning, deceit, deception or threat. By this definition, one can easily understand that the violence against women is directly related to the phenomenon of human trafficking. In traditional Afghan society, traditions and customs combined with sensitivity to gender issues, the sexual harassment victims cannot defend their rights against those exploiting them.
