Marginalised: ‘Govt must do more to protect women against violence’

Participants of seminar on women rights claim harassment continues despite laws

FAISALABAD: There were 696 documented incidents of violence against women in Faisalabad district from January 2015 to September 2015. The number highlights the lack of enforcement of laws to protect women, participants of a seminar on women rights said on Tuesday.

The seminar titled: Women Rights: Legal Framework and Implementation Mechanisms had been organised by the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM).

Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) member Shazia George said that there were several mechanisms available to protect women.

“There is a dire need to extend awareness about these mechanisms and mobilise the women to approach them. It is also imperative to pay attention to enhancing awareness among the masses about these institutions,” she said.

Naseem Anthony, the AWAM programme director, said that from January to September 2015, 230 cases of kidnapping, 142 of acid throwing, 80 of rape and 50 of honour killings were reported in Faisalabad district.

“The high incidence of violence against women is a cause of alarm for the civil society. A comprehensive and strong implementation mechanism is mandatory to implement existing laws for women protection,” he said.

Amina Zaman, the Agency for Sustainable Development Pakistan (ASDP) executive director, said that the weak implementation mechanism had made legislation ineffective. “There is a gap between state institutions and the public. Women have been marginalised socially and economically,” she said.

She said that it was imperative to provide strong implementation mechanisms and formulate legislation in line with the country’s international commitments.

Surayya Waseer, the Lady Health Workers’ Association president, said that women faced sexual harassment despite the many laws formulated to prevent it.

“The lack of awareness about how to register complaints against harassment has made them vulnerable. The government must implement the legislation in letter and spirit to protect women from harassment,” she said.

Activists Nasreen Bukhari, Zarfishan Nasir, Asma Naz and Azra Bano also spoke at the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2015.