Violence Against Women: Seminar debates role of state

Seminar titled ‘Preventions of Violence against Women: Role of the People’ was organised by a Catholic Church.

FAISALABAD: A seminar titled ‘Preventions of Violence against Women: Role of the People’ was organised by Arooj-i-Mariam Catholic Church to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women on Friday. The participants called upon the government to introduce laws for the elimination of violence against women, ensure implementation of existing laws protecting women and repeal discriminatory laws and customs against women. Speaking on the occasion, Father Nisar Barkat said that violence against women gave birth to violence in society at large. “It is necessary to change our behaviour towards women. We all need to play a role in bringing about a change by discouraging and preventing violence against women at the domestic level,” he said. Father Samuel George said, “Women are not permitted to make decisions concerning their own lives and this attitude needs to change. Men in Pakistan still continue to view women as their personal property”.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2011.