HRCP for improving women’s status
LAHORE, March 24: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded steps for improvement in the status of women and minorities by ending institutionalized discrimination against vulnerable groups instead of mere statements and pledges.
Voicing the demand in a statement issued here on Thursday, HRCP Chairperson Asma Jehangir and Secretary General Syed Iqbal Haider said at present institutionalized discrimination was on the rise in the country, increasing the possibilities of only worsening the plight of vulnerable groups and the government’s promises in respect of pursuing policies of enlightened moderation were becoming irritating.
They said the cabinet committee’s decision concerning restoration of religion column in passport and the ban imposed by the district government on hiring of women telephone operators in Haripur were the latest incidents reflecting the official attitude towards women and minorities.
They said the restoration of religion column had affirmed that the authorities continued to work in league with ‘obscurantist elements’ and were determined to ensure that there was no end to the culture of intolerance and extremism in the country.
The Haripur Criminal Justice Committee claimed that women phone operators were contributing to the growth in immorality was not only absurd but tantamount to most blatant discrimination against women.
Source: Dawn
Date:3/25/2005
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