Women first learn to respect yourselves: speakers

Gender studies experts say women need to respect themselves before expecting any help against abuse

RAWALPINDI: Women should first learn to respect themselves, if they can’t, then no one would, said Mehergarh: A Centre of Learning Executive Director Maliha Hussain.

An expert of gender studies, Maliha was the guest speaker at a seminar organised by Women Research Centre (WRC), Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) on Wednesday to mark 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

“If anyone tries to violate your right then stand and speak out for yourself because your respect is as important as that of other humans,” she said.

The 16 days of activism against gender-based violence begin on the international day for the elimination of violence against women on November 25 and end on international human rights day on December 10.

The 16 days of activism is a time to both reflect on violence against women and to take action to end it, Maliha said.

This year’s theme, My Actions Matter, is a call to action that asks everyone to take concrete steps to question, call out, and speak up against acts of gender-based violence, which involves the use and abuse of power and control over another person and is perpetrated against someone based on their gender identity, gender expression on perceived gender, she said.

Violence against women and girls is one form of gender-based violence. Gender-based violence is a human rights violation and a serious obstacle to women’s progress in all areas of life including health, education, work and participation in the society was the objective of seminar.

FJWU Vice Chancellor Prof Samina Amin Qadir highlighted the issues of violence against women and stressed the need to address it at different levels.

She said women should try to reduce the incidents of domestic violence. A large number of students, staff and faculty members attended the seminar.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2017.