Illumination at BA, BHC to promote gender equality

EVAWGA campaign supported by lawmakers, judiciary

QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly and the Balochistan High Court (BHC) bathed in orange illumination on Monday as part of the campaign ‘Leave No One Behind to End Violence against Women and Girls’.

Orange is the colour of happiness and associated with no violence against women. The campaign was organised by the ‘Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Alliance’ (EVAWGA) Balochistan, while the illumination event was jointly arranged by the Balochistan government and the EVAWGA with the support of the ‘UN Women’.



A large number of activists, belonging to various non-governmental organisations, visited the BHC and the Balochistan Assembly in the evening, carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans like ‘Say No to Violence against Women’ and ‘Orange the World’.

Balochistan Assembly Speaker Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani and woman legislators and government officials were present on the occasion.

Speaking at the orange illumination ceremony, Durrani vowed to support the pro-women legislation to ensure an end to all forms of gender-based violence in the province.

“Violence against women will not be tolerated. All such moves would be resisted,” Durrani said, referring to the bills regarding violence against women passed by the Balochistan Assembly. “All steps will be taken for the empowerment of women and protection of women rights.”

Speaking on the occasion, BHC Registrar Rozi Khan said that the judiciary stood with the civil society activists to ensure rule of law in the province, where perpetrators of all forms of gender-based violence were punished and the women led a dignified life.



Amjad Rasheed, EVAWGA Chairperson and the Chief Executive Officer of the Taraqee Foundation, stressed the need for making joint efforts to end discrimination against women and girls. “We must join hands,” he said.

Also speaking on the occasion, Ayesha Wadood from the ‘UN Women’ highlighted the salient features of the ‘Leave no one Behind to End Violence against Women and Girls’ campaign.