PAKISTAN | Capacity Building through FOSPAH Collaboration

The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab has always placed great emphasis on creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace environment across its offices. In line with this commitment, a series of training sessions were organized in collaboration with the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection against Harassment (FOSPAH) under the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010.

The initiative began with a comprehensive session at the Head Office, Lahore, on 5th September 2025, attended by all Advisors along with their Wings’ Incharges. To ensure province-wide participation, all Advisors across Punjab, together with their staff, also joined the session virtually through Zoom. This hybrid approach enabled both in-person and remote participants to engage in detailed discussions on the law, complaint-handling mechanisms, and the responsibilities of inquiry committees.

On the same day, following the successful conduct of this first session, a discussion was held between the Honourable Ombudsman Punjab, Worthy Regional Advisor FOSPAH Madam Lubna Ali, in which it was mutually agreed to extend the training initiative to regional offices across Punjab, beginning with Rawalpindi, Multan, and Faisalabad.

The second session was successfully conducted at the Regional Office, Rawalpindi, on 10th September 2025. Led by Mr. Waqar Malik, Assistant Registrar FOSPAH, the training focused on the Code of Conduct at the Workplace. Participants explored professional ethics, appropriate workplace behaviors, and mechanisms to address grievances. The interactive format allowed attendees to share workplace experiences and gain clarity on the practical application of the Act.

Recognizing the importance of these trainings for professional development and for building safe and respectful workplaces, the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab has formally requested FOSPAH to schedule the sessions for the Regional Offices of Multan and Faisalabad at mutually convenient dates. These sessions will further expand the reach of awareness initiatives, particularly in the southern and central regions of the province.

These collaborative initiatives demonstrate the shared resolve of the Ombudsman Punjab and FOSPAH to strengthen institutional capacity and to promote workplaces where dignity, equality, and respect remain guiding principles. By extending awareness and training to regional offices, this program ensures that staff across Punjab are empowered with knowledge, equipped with practical tools, and committed to upholding the values of a harassment-free workplace and paving the way for safer, more professional, and respectful working environments across all offices.

The Ombudsman Punjab remains dedicated to supporting such training programs, which are vital for embedding accountability, enhancing staff capacity, and ensuring the full implementation of the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010.

Source: The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab, Pakistan