Combating sexual harassment: Dr Fouzia Saeed to be recognised for her services
KARACHI: Social activist Dr Fouzia Saeed has been recognised for her services by the Washington Oxi Day Foundation. The foundation chose Dr Saeed for its Battle of Crete Award, which honours women who have contributed to freedom and democracy in their countries. Last year, the award was presented to Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The Battle of Crete Award is named after the women of Crete, Greece, who fought...
Who leaked the news about the Kohistani women?
The recent case of the alleged murder of five women in Kohistan was hot news all around our nation. Our government and civil society joined hands and responded professionally soon after the news broke. The case was partially resolved upon finding out that some of the women were safe … for the moment. Although the story has subsided at the national level, beneath the calm surface it has become more...
Working with Sharks
Have known Dr Fouzia Saeed for a few years and have always marveled at her dedication to the variety of causes she has exposed in her career as a writer, development professional and an activist. In the recent past, Fouzia has virtually acted as the backbone of getting the anti-sexual harassment policy and legislation passed by the authorities. Today, Pakistan can be proud that it has progressive laws against sexual harassment with...
Book launch: Fouzia Saeed tells every woman’s story
At: THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE KARACHI: It takes immense courage to tell your story of sexual abuse, and after 14 years Fouzia Saeed has told the world. “I realised that if I wanted other women to speak up, I first had to speak for myself,” the social activist said at the launch of her book “Working with Sharks” in Karachi on Friday. As she briefly spoke about her struggle and the harassment she faced in...
Working women sexual harassment projected by AASHA!
On Thursday, January 31; An assembly by Alliance Against Sexual Harassment (AASHA), which comprises of organizations including: Actionaid, Mehergarh, Bedari, Pilor and Intereko Resource Center, was held in Best Western Islamabad at 11 am and ended at 6 pm. In the conference many working women flee from all corners of the country including cities like Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Chakwal and many others. The women attended the conference are working in different...
Implementing the 18th Amendment,Taking the lead
Fouzia Saeed Raza Rabbani stands behind the 18th Amendment but where is everybody else? Provincial chief ministers and chief secretaries should prepare to adopt new roles. Adjust Font Size The Friday Times The Friday Times. The intrigues are brewing up in all circles, senior officials want to hang on to power, personal connections are being used to save jobs, and screams are heard every time a meeting is held to figure out the...
Promoting pluralist folk heritage is vital for Pakistan’s future
Dr Fouzia Saeed, a scholar and civil society activist, was recently appointed as the head of Lok Virsa – the premier government institution to conserve and promote cultural heritage. After years of inaction and treating folklore as a commodity to be sold at melas and cafes, it is somewhat encouraging that a professional is in charge of an important institution. Fouzia is a renowned folklorist. Her well-researched book ‘Forgotten Faces:...
Another stint: Dr Saeed new Lok Virsa executive director
ISLAMABAD: Renowned rights activist Dr Fouzia Saeed has been appointed as the executive director of Lok Virsa. Saeed confirmed the news to The Express Tribune on Sunday. She is currently working on her book at Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington DC as a Pakistan Scholar. She has been widely known for her campaign for raising voice on human rights in Pakistan. Her earlier work with the Folk and Traditional Heritage Institute (Lok Virsa)...
Sexual harassment bill: ‘Implement law to protect women’
ISLAMABAD: For the last three months the Lady Health Workers (LHWs) in Chakwal District have not received their salaries. Most of them are the sole bread-earners for their families. And among them, is a widow who has two daughters and is facing a tough time due to lack of finances. This lady health worker, who did not want to share her identity, was invited to attend an event titled “Moving Forward...
Pakistan: An Update on the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill
In 2009 Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s former information minister, proposed the Protection Against Harassment of Women in the Workplace Act and amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). This was approved in March 2010 by President Asif Ali Zardari. Recommendations were made by Dr. Fouzia Saeed, a founding member of the Alliance Against Sexual Harassment (AASHA), an umbrella group of six NGOs formed in 2001, who assisted in drafting a code...