Encouraging women to rise against injustices

Speakers called for independent commission on Human Rights to encourage women for raising voices against injustices.

ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar on Friday called for ending discriminatory laws and establishing an independent commission on Human Rights to encourage women for raising their voices against injustices. The seminar titled “Religious Extremism and its impact on Women” was arranged by Insani Haqooq Ittehad (IHI) in connection with the National Women’s Day.

“Religion and politics must not be interlinked,” said MNA Bushra Gohar while speaking on the occasion. “Some religious scholars and political leaders are exploiting innocent citizens in the name of religion and increasing extremism in the country,” she said. She added that women in Federally Administered Tribal Areas are still facing discrimination and are deprived of their right to basic education and to cast vote.

Addressing the gathering, Justice Nasira Iqbal said that all SAARC countries have established Human Rights Commissions while Pakistan has no independent forum to address human rights’ issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2011.