Women must fight for their rights: speakers

Say there is need to end gender discrimination

SIALKOT: Punjab Social Welfare Department Director Sajid Zafar Dall has said that the government is initiating all measures for women empowerment.   He said that there is a need to end gender-based discrimination and violence.

He expressed these views while addressing the participants at a workshop on Saturday. The event was organised by Baidarie, an NGO working for the rights of women in Punjab.



While speaking on the occasion, Punjab Commission on Status of Women Chairperson Fauzia Viqar said, “We should effectively monitor the performance of every department with regards to women empowerment.”

She added, “The commission is struggling hard to address the grievances of women survivors who have been subjected to discrimination and violence.”

IDEAs Chief Executive Officer Salman Abid said that in Pakistan, several policies and law related to women development were formulated. “However, many policies still need to be implemented,” he said.

Similarly, Baidarie Executive Director Arshad Mehmood Mirza said that the organisation was working hard in favour of gender empowerment and justice. He pointed out, “There is need to maximise qualitative results for gender sensitive transformation of social norms and practices and increasing public pressure for pacing up socio-economic and political empowerment of women and maximising legal protection for them.”

Meanwhile, speakers emphasised the need for women but to stand against subjugation, societal taboos, customary practices and all sorts of discrimination and empower themselves.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2018.