‘Non-implementation of existing laws is making women vulnerable’

Acid Survivors Foundation, NCSW launch report on countering violence against women

ISLAMABAD: Non-implementation of existing laws is a critical factor, which makes women more vulnerable, said Senator Farhatullah Babar.

He was speaking at the launch of a report titled ‘Good Practices to Counter Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Promote Gender Equality in Pakistan’.

Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF-Pakistan) in partnership with the National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) and Group Development Pakistan (GDP) presented the report.

The report was launched at a ceremony attended by parliamentarians, women and girls’ rights activists, policy-makers, government representatives, civil society, media, children and the public at large.

The report is an outcome of the project “TAAWUN (Synergies)” funded by a delegation of the European Union.

The European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Jean-François Cautain emphasised on the economic participation and empowerment of women to counter the challenges faced by women and girls.

2018 witnesses no respite in violence against women

He said, “We need to have access to reliable and up-to-date data to tackle the issues related to violence against women and girls so that we know what we are dealing with. This data could lead to a significant instrument for advocating with parliamentarians and bureaucracy to end violence against women and girls.”

NCSW Chairperson Khawar Mumtaz said: “We have to address the root causes in order to eradicate gender-based violence and for that, the availability of credible data is crucial so that prompt measures are taken at societal and institutional levels.”

GDP Executive Director Valerie Khan said state institutions and civil society should collaborate to make a positive difference.

ASF-Pakistan Executive Director Mohammad Khan said that the report is meant to engage law and policymakers, and community members to identify solutions to counter acid or burn violence.  

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2019.