Landmark Ruling for Women’s Rights: Termination During Maternity Leave Declared Gender Discrimination

Islamabad: In a major decision supporting women’s rights, the **Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH)** has declared that **terminating a woman’s employment during maternity leave constitutes gender discrimination**.

FOSPAH imposed a **fine of Rs 1 million** on a private company for dismissing an employee, **Zainab Zahra Awan**, during her maternity leave. The decision was announced by **Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar**, who ruled in favor of the complainant.

According to the verdict, the company has been directed to **pay Rs 800,000 as compensation to the affected woman** and **deposit Rs 200,000 in the national treasury**. FOSPAH also **nullified the termination order** and **restored Zainab Zahra Awan to her position**.

In her remarks, Fauzia Viqar emphasized that **motherhood should never be an obstacle to a woman’s career** and that **job security during maternity is a fundamental right**. She added that a **safe and protected maternity period is every woman’s basic human right**.

Zainab Zahra Awan had been **unlawfully dismissed by her employer while on maternity leave**, prompting her to file a complaint with FOSPAH, which has now resulted in this precedent-setting judgment.