Collective efforts for curbing violence against women urged

Islamabad: Speakers at a seminar urged government, semi-government and civil society organisations to initiate collective efforts for curbing violence against women from society.

They stressed for the need to bring change in behaviours for countering the menace of violence against women and motivated all stakeholders to adopt a collaborative approach at large scale to get results in least possible time.

Speakers expressed these remarks at a seminar ‘International Women Day-Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for Gender Equality’, organised by a non-government organisation SACH- Struggle for Change.

The moot was organised in connection with International Women Day aimed to create awareness on gender equality.

Speaking on this occasion, a women rights activist Mastura Astanakzai highlighted the role of women in Islam. She said our religion has given a number of legal and social rights to women but unfortunately, majority is not aware of their rights or find it hard to practice them because of the patriarchal social mindset.

She stated that women are showing remarkable performance in various fields but it is imperative to ensure conducive environment for them so that they can practice their abilities without any discrimination.

Child Psychologist Saima Shakir informed the participants that upbringing of child is a huge responsibility but it could not be possible without cooperation of all family members.

She said children hailing from broken families develop a number of complexities and if they are not addressed at early age, they may give disastrous effects on their personalities.

Students of different schools were also asked to share their views on role of gender equality to create awareness and respond their queries and confusions regarding role of men and women in society and especially in families.

Representatives of different civil society organisations, women rights activist, child psychologists and a number of Afghan students participated in the event.