Drive against gender-based violence launched
FILE PHOTO
The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on Friday launched a 16-day drive against gender-based violence (GBV) and established a Gender Unit within the ministry.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, the campaign aimed at the socio-economic empowerment of women to pave the way for eliminating gender disparity in society.
It also stated that the initiative was being taken to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
It’s worth noting here that this is an annual campaign that begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until Human Rights Day (Dec 10). The campaign was formally launched by the Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal during a ceremony held at the ministry, the statement read.
“The development process of any country remains slow if the women are not given equal opportunities,” said the minister while highlighting the significance of women’s participation in the development of the country.
He further said unfortunately, women’s participation in the development process was weak and this campaign and the newly established Gender Unit will help in achieving the desired results. The campaign will be run in educational institutes of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from November 25 to till December 10 in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency, the statement said, adding that the Young Development Fellows (YDF) will start visiting educational institutes to organise events to create awareness among the public.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2022.