NGOs protest for women rights

RAWALPINDI: Leading NGOs including Aurat Foundation and some other NGOs held a demonstration in front of Rawalpindi Press Club in support of equal rights for women and against dowry. Rawalpindi Traders Unions, rickshaw drivers unions, civil society and Awaz District Forum participated. Protesters held banners, placards while rickshaw drivers displayed cards at their rickshaws, says a press release.

Addressing the protesters, spokesman of Awaz District Forum, Lubna Arshad said, “We are fighting for equal rights for women and we are against dowry. Islam gives equal rights to women.”  She added: “In our country women face sexual harassment, forced marriage, teen age marriage, acid burning, and other such things.”

Ms Lubna Arshad agreed that something was indeed being done in Pakistan with regard to women empowerment but that was clearly not enough. “Most women in the country, especially in the rural areas, are being deprived of basic human rights. It is not only the duty of the government or NGOs to safeguard women's rights. It is the duty of every citizen of Pakistan to ensure that their rights are protected.”