Arid Agriculture University supports empowerment of women

Arid Agriculture University supports empowerment of women
Dr. Jassim Taqui

To advocate for the elimination of violence against women and generate demands for the effective implementation of pro-women laws, a rickshaw campaign launching ceremony titled “Enough: Together We Can End Violence against Women and Girls” held at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) in collaboration with Aurat Foundation and Oxfam Pakistan on November 29, 2016. The campaign aims to advocate elimination of violence against women and generate demands for effective implementation of pro-women laws and is held in connection with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The campaign will include more than 3,000 rickshaws inscribed with slogans and art work and playing feminist folk songs across Punjab and Sindh. Rickshaw drivers will be advocates for women’s rights. Speaking at the launch of the event, Oxfam Country Director Mohammad Qazilbash said incidents of violence against women were emerging everyday from across the country despite the large amounts of pro-women legislation and policies being made. “This signifies that our society has somehow accepted violence against women as normal behavior. However, what has been learned can be unlearned. Enough is enough,” he said. Retired Justice Nasira Iqbal said between 70 and 80pc of women in Pakistan face violence despite serious legislative and political measures having been taken. She praised the approval of pro-women laws in the recent past but pointed out gaps in the implementation of these laws. She said that consent agreement or the ‘raazi nama’ is still an option in the honor killing law and that the Punjab Women Protection Act does not criminalize violence against women. “Despite all these gaps, we are happy with the progress and hope that we will eventually be able to overcome the hurdles in implementation,” she said. Australian High Commission First Secretary Trasey Graeney said violence against women is a global issue.“One in four women experience violence in Australia,” she said, adding that violence against women have massive impacts on families and society. “It restricts a woman’s potential to contribute to the economic development of a country,” she said. PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad said people who do not respect women are unfortunate ones. He said that solution to eliminate violence against women is by making them financially independent. National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Chairperson Khawar Mumtaz stressed for the collaborative efforts and engagement of men to eliminate violence from society. She suggested introduction of an app for speedy support for violence victims. Senator Najma Hameed praised PMAS-AAUR for organizing an event on women rights at the campus. Members Punjab Assembly Zaib-un-Nisa and Tehseen Fawad also spoke on the occasion. Aurat Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer Naeem Ahmed Mirza shared the history of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. “Time has changed. This is the century of women, but women will have to stand up for their rights,” he said.  At the end, the first Rickshaw rally was launched from the University premises.

Al-Bab Camera captured glimpses of the conference: