Majority of Federal Govt Websites Lack Harassment Inquiry Committees Info

Only 17, or 47 percent, of 39 federal government divisions operating under 34 ministries have notified the composition of their Inquiry Committees for Protection against Harassment at the Workplace on their official websites, while the remaining 22 divisions, or 53 percent, have not made this information publicly available online.

The disclosure of this information falls within the scope of Sections 5(1)(b) and 5(1)(c) of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017. These provisions require public bodies to proactively publish notifications, as well as substantive and procedural rules and regulations of general application, including manuals and policies used by their employees, through appropriate means, including uploading the information on the internet.

Under the 2017 Act, the responsibility for ensuring such disclosures rests with the secretary concerned of each federal ministry or division.

The importance of digital access to this information has increased significantly, particularly in the post-COVID-19 workplace environment, where a substantial portion of official communication and interaction has shifted to digital and online platforms.

Why are these committees constituted and what do they do?

Section 3 of the Protection against Harassment of the Women at the Workplace Act, 2010 provides for the constitution of a three-member Inquiry Committee in every organization, including federal ministries, divisions, and departments, to inquire into complaints of workplace harassment. The committee comprises representatives of senior management and employees, with the condition that one member must be a woman.

The committee is mandated with the responsibility to inquire into complaints in accordance with the procedure laid down in Section 4 of the 2010 Act. Where the committee concludes that harassment has occurred, it may recommend minor or major penalties against the accused. The competent authority of the organization is responsible for imposing the penalties as recommended by the committee. An aggrieved party may file an appeal against the decision of the competent authority before the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment.

Which divisions published this information online?

According to FAFEN assessment of websites of 39 federal divisions as listed in the Rules of Business 1973 conducted, the federal divisions including Establishment, National Security, Communications, Defence, Economic Affairs, Petroleum, National Heritage and Culture, Finance, Revenue, Housing and Works, Industries and Production, Inter Provincial Coordination, Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions, Parliamentary Affairs, Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, and Railways have published the notifications of the inquiry committees constituted under the 2010 Act on their websites. The remaining 22 divisions have not uploaded such notifications on their websites. The assessment was conducted on January 9, 2026.