Gender equality: SC judge calls for ending discrimination against women

Judge said intolerance and all forms of discrimination are a menace to Pakistani society.

All forms of discrimination must be eliminated.

This was said by Justice Mushir Alam of the Supreme Court as he addressed the concluding ceremony of a week-long refresher course for civil judges on ‘Gender Sensitisation and New Laws’ held at the Federal Judicial Academy on Saturday, said a press release issued by the academy on Saturday.

He said intolerance and all forms of discrimination are a menace to Pakistani society. The apex court judge said ridding society from discrimination against women is binding on Pakistan as the country has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

He said that Islam and the Constitution of Pakistan both ensure equal rights for women. “We have to shun discriminatory attitudes towards women and protect and promote their rights.”

He appreciated the academy’s role in law and judicial education and hoped that the newly-appointed DG will further improve training programmes.

Earlier, FJA Director General Dr Faqir Hussain gave an overview of the training course for the civil judges from across Pakistan.

“We have to make coordinated and collective efforts to eliminate oppression, repression, discrimination and injustice against women to march forward as a progressive and tolerant nation,” Hussain said.

Justice Alam also awarded certificates to the course participants.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2014.