Women Encouraged To Use Technology To Reduce Harassment

News Desk

Peshawar: The use of technology has enabled women to anonymously report relevant issues to the Ombudsperson via their cell phones. There is a need for cost-effective technology, including mobile devices, to enable women to file cases online while staying at home, said Ombudsperson Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Rukhshanda Naz.

A provincial consultation on ‘Digital Safety for Women & Children in KP was organised by International Women’s Day, Aawaz II in collaboration with the KP Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW), the Ombudsperson KP for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace, and the KP Child Protection and Welfare Commission.

KP Child Protection and Welfare Commission Deputy Chief Ijaz Khan underlined the significance of using mobile devices while being mindful of safety precautions. In order to address online harassment, he also advised setting up awareness-raising events.

KPCSW Director of programmes Amna Durrani highlighted that information accessed through the internet or phone is known as digital inclusion.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)Deputy Director Network Security Muhammad Akram Mughal said that there are three FIA stations in KP, including one each in Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, and Abbottabad, out of the total 15 FIA stations in the nation.

Muhammad Akram informed that the Cyber Crime Wing received 159,187 complaints from around the country, 1600 of which were addressed and cases were successfully closed this year.

KPCSW Secretary Robina Haider stated that women are keen to use mobile but face harassment. Though the laws exist, people are not aware of cybercrime.

This consultation intended to raise awareness of online gender-based violence (GBV), including its varieties and patterns, in order to foster safer online environments for women and children.

Discussions on how to respond to and report online GBV, increasing public awareness of legal requirements and safety nets, and examining the function of Aawaz II community structures and activists in stopping online GBV were all facilitated by the event.

Omar Asghar Khan Foundation Programme Director Rashida Dohad said that Aawaz II strives to tackle discriminatory gender norms in Punjab and KP.