Countering militancy: Speakers call upon the ‘weaker sex’ to take on tough fight

Speakers say K-P, tribal areas have strong traditions of inter-faith harmony.

PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar on women’s role in peace building said on Saturday that women can help fight militancy in the troubled region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal belt.

The seminar was arranged by the Pakistan Council of World Religions (PCWR) in collaboration with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Girls Guide Association.

Addressing the gathering, University of Peshawar’s (UoP) acting Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Qibla Ayaz said the media incorrectly portrays a negative and violent picture of the region.

He said the region has a strong tradition of inter-faith harmony, which needs to be projected worldwide.

Dr Ayaz underscored the important role women play in bringing peace to war-torn regions. He added that they should look to Liberia as an inspiration, where women liberated their country from the clutches of war and strife.

He urged women to join PCWR to utilise their energies for lasting peace in this part of the world.

All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement (APHRM) Chairman Haroon Sarab Diyal stressed on the revival of the girls guide movement which aims to empower and support women. Haroon said the mother is a child’s first teacher and thus responsible for instilling values of tolerance and peace.

A Sikh girl Rajindar Kaur said in her speech that women were the most affected by militancy in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and other tribal areas. Kaur lauded the strength of women confronted by terrorism and said peace could only be established by taking into account suggestions of people from all faiths.

Aman Tehreek’s convener Idrees Kamal said “they have been very active in spreading the message of peace” since the conglomerate of civil society organisations was launched in 2002.

President KP Girls Guide Association Rohi Zahid, Vice President Nighat Ilyas Bilour and others including Charam Jeet Singh and Rabia Ali also spoke on the occasion.