Working with Sharks: A Pakistani Woman's Story of Sexual Harassment in the United Nations - From Personal Grievance to Public Law

by Fouzia Saeed

"Little did I know that my intimidation by senior officers in the UNDP had only just begun." Fouzia Saeed dreamed of bringing social change to the women of Pakistan and was thrilled to land her dream job at the world's ethical compass and institutional tour de force: The United Nations. As expected, the UN was a gathering place for passionate minds devoted to human rights and justice for all. Shockingly, at the UN mission in Pakistan it was also a breeding ground for powerful men who viewed women as sexual objects rather than professional equals. Refusing her boss's advances didn't stop the harassment. Reporting him to superiors didn't either. In her years-long struggle with torment and humiliation at the UN, Fouzia held strong, knowing her fight for women's rights was the only thing that could keep her going. But how do you fight for others' rights when you cannot even take hold of your own? Can you ever change a culture that views sexual harassment by a man as a woman's crime? Fouzia and a group of female colleagues, who similarly suffered in the workplace, gained the courage to risk their reputations. They filed a joint compliant and promptly found themselves under attack by their managers who aligned with the perpetrator in an effort to crush their case. Working with Sharks follows eleven indestructible women and the case that sparked a national movement and culminated in the passage of legislation that made sexual harassment a crime in Pakistan in 2010. Inspirational and poignant, Working with Sharks encourages women in any part of the world to find their voice and stand up to sexual harassment.

Genres: Pakistan

442 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Saadia B.]

Sexual harassment is for real, even at workplace.

The author did a great favour to women in Pakistan by fighting against the harassers in her organisation and with the help of Parliament passed the Sexual Harassment Bill.

Don’t hush and shush it, because you were lucky enough not to face it yourself. Take a stand and fight for it because nothing is more important than your self-respect and dignity.

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[Anne Speckhard]

Fouzia Saeed is a great woman--she had the courage to stand up to the bureaucracy and address sexual harassment of herself and ten others at the UN in Pakistan after which she went on to change the law in her country--no easy task. Stay tuned to see what she does next....

[Mariam Haroon]

Every Pakistani men and women must read it once, especially when they grapple with gender-based politics in offices. It is the best auto-biographical explanation of what is happening in cooperate sectors and how people are being ridiculed for just being different from others, be it a man or woman.
Men need to read it to understand how their natural; or societal-made attitudes disturb the work power of the opposite gender. Even the slightest gestures can be irritating and heartbreaking.

[Nimra Pervez]

Being a pakistani working woman this book is such an inspiration

[Anal Riaz]

Must read book for professionals.

[Yas]

Dr. Fouzia Saeed did a great job telling her story. Her story was so interesting that I didn't want to put the book down and finished reading in a couple of days.