Harassment in Public Places: Legal Framework and Societal Perspectives in Pakistan

Author: Jibran Jamshed, Aas Muhammad, Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan Khakwani 

Abstract

Harassment in public spaces poses a significant threat to women’s safety and rights, impacting their freedom, dignity, and ability to engage in daily activities. This research delves into the multifaceted aspects of street harassment in Pakistan, examining its historical context, current legal framework, societal attitudes, and the challenges faced by women. Utilising data analysis and literature review, the study sheds light on the pervasive nature of street harassment, encompassing verbal, nonverbal, and physical forms of harassment experienced by women in public settings. The study proposes legislative reforms, improved law enforcement strategies, awareness campaigns, and community empowerment initiatives to address street harassment effectively. By exploring the impact of harassment on women’s rights and safety, this research contributes to creating safer and more inclusive public spaces in Pakistan.

Keywords

Street Harassment, Gender-Based Violence, Legal framework

References

Abdul Rashid and another v. the State, (2018) P Cr. L J Note 138 (Pak.).
Ahmad, N. M., Ahmad, M. M., & Masood, R. (2020). Socio-psychological implications of public
harassment for women in the capital city of Islamabad. Indian Journal of Gender Studies,
27(1), 77–100.
Amir, S., & Pande, R. (2019). Labor Force Aspirations, Experiences and Challenges for Urban,
Educated Pakistani Women: Discussions in Four Metro Cities. Policy Note, Pakistan Gender
and Social Inclusion Platform and Center of Gender and Policy Studies, World Bank,
Washington, DC.
Asif, R., Razzaq, M., & Khadam, N. (2023). Legal Analysis of Harassment Laws in Public Places: A
Case Study of Pakistan. Islamabad Law Review, 7(1), 158–179.
Benard, C., & Schlaffer, E. (1984). “The man in the street”: Why he harasses. na.
Bowman, C. G. (1993). Street harassment and the informal ghettoization of women. Harvard Law
Review, 517–580.
Butt, M. R. (2007). Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973. Mansoor Book House.
https://books.google.com.pk/books?id=OG27oAEACAAJ
DOI: 10.52279/jlss.06.04.395404 Page | 403
Journal of Law & Social Studies 2024
Çelik, Y., & Çelik, S. Ş. (2007). Sexual harassment against nurses in Turkey. Journal of Nursing
Scholarship, 39(2), 200–206.
Davidson, M. M., Gervais, S. J., & Sherd, L. W. (2015). The ripple effects of stranger harassment on
objectification of self and others. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 39(1), 53–66.
Davis, D. (1993). The harm that has no name: Street harassment, embodiment, and African American
women. Ucla Women’s LJ, 4, 133.
Dhillon, M., & Bakaya, S. (2014). Street harassment: A qualitative study of the experiences of young
women in Delhi. Sage Open, 4(3), 2158244014543786.
Dr Nida Kirmani. (2021, October 8). The past few months have been harrowing for Pakistani women.
Al-Jazera. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/10/8/violence-against-women-inpakistan-is-not-new-but-it-must-stop
Fairchild, K., & Rudman, L. A. (2008). Everyday stranger harassment and women’s objectification.
Social Justice Research, 21, 338–357.
Fernandez, N. (2016). Street harassment effects on women: An exploratory study. California State
University, Long Beach.
Fitzgerald, L. F., Swan, S., & Fischer, K. (1995). Why didn’t she just report him? The psychological
and legal implications of women’s responses to sexual harassment. Journal of Social Issues,
51(1), 117–138.
Gardner, C. B. (1995). Passing By: Gender and Public Harassment. University of California Press.
Gekoski, A., Gray, J. M., Horvath, M. A., Edwards, S., Emirali, A., & Adler, J. R. (2015). What
works’ in reducing sexual harassment and sexual offences on public transport nationally and
internationally: A rapid evidence assessment. London: British Transport Police and
Department for Transport.
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v. Muhammad Younas, (2020) Civil appeal no: 73 (Pak.).
Hlavka, H. R. (2014). Normalizing sexual violence: Young women account for harassment and abuse.
Gender & Society, 28(3), 337–358.
Imtiaz, S., & Kamal, A. (2021). Sexual harassment in the public places of Pakistan: Gender of
perpetrators, gender differences and City differences among victims. Sexuality & Culture,
25(5), 1808–1823.
Khan, S. (2019). Violence against women on the rise in Pakistan, Deutsche Welle.
Kissling, E. A., & Kramarae, C. (1991). Stranger compliments: The interpretation of street remarks.
Women’s Studies in Communication, 14(1), 75–93.
LENGNICK‐HALL, M. L. (1995). Sexual harassment research: A methodological critique.
Personnel Psychology, 48(4), 841–864.
M. Abdul Basit. (2018). Pakistan Penal Code, 1860. Federal Law House.
MacKinnon, C. A. (1979). Sexual harassment of working women: A case of Sex Discrimination (Vol.
178). Yale University Press.
Matrix, & Boys, J. (1985). Making space: Women and the man-made environment. Pluto Press.
Mst. Mahjabeen v. D.P.O., (2009) PCr.LJ (Kar.) 173 (Pak.).
Mst. Shakeela v. the State, (2001) P Cr. L J (Pesh.) 43 (Pak.).
Muhammad Noman v. The State, (2008) PCr.LJ (FSC) 1439 (Pak.).
Mujahid Hussain Naqvi v. Ansar Mehmood Awan, (2016) PLD (AJ&K) 32 (Pak.).
Nielsen, L. B. (2000). Situating legal consciousness: Experiences and attitudes of ordinary citizens
about law and street harassment. Law & Society Review, 34(4), 1055–1090.
Protection of Women against Harassment at Workplace Act (2010).
Salman, M., Abdullah, F., & Saleem, A. (2016). Sexual harassment at workplace and its impact on
employee turnover intentions. Business & Economic Review, 8(1), 87–102.
Sullivan, G. (2014). Woman harassed 108 times as she walks around New York. The Washington
Post.
The World Justice Project: Rule of Law Index 2017-2018. (2018). The World Justice Project.
DOI: 10.52279/jlss.06.04.395404 Page | 404
Journal of Law & Social Studies 2024
Thompson, D. M. (1994). The woman in the street: Reclaiming the public space from sexual
harassment. Yale JL & Feminism, 6, 313.
UN Women. (2022). Facts and figures: Ending violence against women. UN Women.
Waqar Mustafa. (2017, January 6). Pakistani province launches app for women to report harassment.
Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/asia-pacific/pakistani-province-launchesapp-for-women-to-report-harassment-idUSKBN14Q07X/
W.E. Fairburn. (1942). Hands Off: Self-Defense for Women.
West, R. L. (1987). The difference in women’s hedonic lives: A phenomenological critique of
feminist legal theory. Wis. Women’s LJ, 3, 81.

DOI: 10.52279/jlss.06.04.395404 | 395-404  PDF