Activists share experiences about common issues faced by minorities

HYDERABAD:

The Positive Peace Awareness campaign Jagurta Mahag initiated by Social Aid, Advice and Relief (SAAR) Organisation and Global Women Cadre organised a seminar with Hindu and Christian Community members of Jamshoro district at UGA Church.

The stakeholders, human rights advocates, journalists, Hindu and Christian Community activists shared their experiences about common issues faced by the community.

Qomi Awami Tehreek (QAT) President Ayaz Latif Palijo expressed his views on religious harmony and inclusiveness. He encouraged women from minorities to pursue their education and join the field as lawmakers in Pakistan.

The woman rights activist Marvi Awan enlightened the attendees about the laws and protection, the minorities have in Pakistani society. She spoke about child marriage, forced conversation and abuse.

An activist against Gender-Based Violence and founder SAAR Organisation Sannum Kabooro shared her ideas over the empowerment of women from the minorities. She addressed the attendees about how they can join the work force and start businesses. She requested the crowd to learn to keep their finances black and white so that they can not easily become prey to the "Sood mafia". In many cases of mob lynching and blasphemy, the culprit uses blasphemy to sort their financial disputes against victims.

General secretary minority wing district Jamshoro Ramesh Lal expressed his grief over expensive lawyers' fees which are unbearable for the Hindu community. He said that minorities are usually not financially strong to persue their cases and they find it financially convenient to give some money as bribes to get away with blackmailing and harassment.

Information Secretary Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) Sindh University Shamon Masih shared issues of youth and the ratio of girls in education. This programme was the second seminar in a series of positive peace initiatives which aims to bring solutions to the ongoing problems and conflicts in the region.