It is a sad sign of the times that women officers do not have sufficient faith in the Islamabad police force to conduct an internal enquiry into allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct at the hands of senior law enforcement agents. Instead, they have chosen to make their case public by leaking certain details to both the media, the higher judiciary, including the Chief Justice of Pakistan, as well as the Interior minister and top police officials. This threatens to an explosive case that could potentially see the police investigate its own; all the way up to district superintendent police and inspectors. In fact, this was what the women had been hoping for when they submitted a formal complaint just over a year ago. Clearly, that did not happen. That is a failure of governance on multiple levels. State institutions within the democratic paradigm must have a working mechanism designed to deal with accusations of this nature; ideally with women taking the lead. This is particularly important when talking about men-dominated spaces; and where men monopolise the senior most positions. Not only does this give way to a power imbalance — it keeps ‘the old boys’ club’ mentality alive long after the plug should have been pulled. We, here at Daily Times, applaud the bravery of the women of the Islamabad police. As has been seen only too recently, it is never easy for women to take a stand against sexual harassment. Thus there will always be undertones suggesting that the women knew what they were getting themselves into; or were even perhaps ‘up for it’. Which of course is slut shaming by every other name. And it explains how, despite there being seven credible cases, none of the policewomen were comfortable when it came to participating in the investigation process. Let that sink in for a moment: women police officers were reluctant to be questioned by male colleagues. The state must take up this matter; and it must do so sincerely. Its job is to ensure the health, safety and physical security of all women working as public servants. Failure to do so must result in liability. For the time has come for Pakistan to stop trading in women as progressive capital. Meaning that the state has no right to promote women fighter jet pilots, say, as the liberal face of the country unless and until it is ready to at least throw the book at those who would violate them. Yes, it really is that simple. * Published in Daily Times, April 26th 2018.