Empowering women: Govt to appoint female judges

President Zardari of view that violence against women a fundamental violation of human rights.

ISLAMABAD:

President Asif Ali Zardari said on Friday that the government has decided to appoint female judges in the judiciary as part of its efforts to take social, economic, legal and constitutional steps for the empowerment of women.

Addressing the concluding ceremony of “one million signatures campaign to stop violence against women” at the Presidency, the president said that discrimination against women was deeply rooted in all spheres of society — social, political, economic and legal.

He emphasised that there was a need to bring a positive change in the attitudes of men towards women. “A traditional mindset takes time to change but positive actions are being taken to bring about the desired change,” he stated.

President Zardari was of the view that violence against women was a fundamental violation of human rights.

He revealed that the government has accorded “high priority” to addressing the issue of discriminatory laws against women and concerted efforts were being made to eliminate abuse of women in all its forms with active involvement of women parliamentarians and representatives of civil society organisations.

While acknowledging the challenges, the president expressed hope that “we would be able to do much more for the cause of women in future”.

President Zardari also became the millionth signatory of the “one million signatures campaign to stop violence against women” — reaffirming his government’s commitment to support women-related legislation.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2012.