Conference: Fighting back crimes against women and children

Participants call for eliminating discrimination and introducing pro-women laws

Participants at a conference condemned increasing crime, discrimination and prejudice against women and children, in general and attack on three teenage schoolgirls in Swat, in particular, said a press release.

They expressed disappointment over the apathy of the government and state authorities for their failure in protecting the life and property of the people. The conference was held in Bhurban, Murree last week.

In a declaration issued late Saturday, South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) condemned the murderous attack by the Taliban and their mercenaries on Malala Yousufzai, Kainat and Shazia, who defied all odds and threats in their resolve for not abandoning their rights to education and a peaceful life free of terror and discrimination.

It took exception to and rejected the frivolous justifications, misuse of religion, pseudo pacifist and apologetic, even derogatory and inhuman reaction and campaign launched by certain vested interests, mullahs and some politicians justifying for terrorism and religious extremism.

“We are perturbed over efforts through Supreme Court (SC) or Parliament and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) targeting women as both cause and effect of obscenity, pervert, sexist and stereotype approaches towards women and decency.”

They appreciated introduction of certain laws to protect women, curb harassment and demanded full implementation of UN conventions and laws pertaining to the rights of women and children.

Expressing disappointment over omission of millions of women voters from voters’ list, they reiterated their commitment to tolerance, pluralism, democratic, feminist and humanist values.

They demanded the government, parliament, state authorities, armed forces, courts, media, academia and civil society to eliminate religious and sectarian extremism and terrorism and all terrorist sanctuaries.

“All discriminatory laws, customs, edicts, stereotyping of women, unequal wages, marginalisation and sexist views and approaches must be changed, curbed and replaced with pro-woman laws, human values and greater participation of women in all spheres of life,” stated the declaration.

In the name of “obscenity”, new curbs and discrimination reflecting prejudices against women are being contemplated through the SC, PEMRA on the initiation of some “sick-minded” elements who wanted to impose obscurantist values on society.

While upholding freedom of expression and choice, “we call upon all institutions, including courts, PEMRA, parliament, police, media, Council of Islamic Ideology and education institutions to refrain from defining any code as it is variable, against diversity and individual freedoms,” the declaration said.

The delegates elected Fauzia Shahid as president and Tanzeela Mazhar general secretary of SAWM.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd,  2012.