Mukhtaaran recognized as icon for resistance against violence
ISLAMABAD, March 27,2005: Mai Mukhtaran, a national icon for resistance against societal violence, will be a chief guest at the International Conference on Millennium Development Goals, beginning here on March 28.
She is present in the capital as a special guest of the Ministry of Women Development and would chair a session of the forthcoming meeting on violence against women, informed Advisor to Prime Minister on Women Development, Nilofer Bakhtiar.
She was talking to media persons at the PID, on the eve of the international event. The press conference was jointly addressed by the Ministry of Women Development, All Pakistan Women Association and the United Nations System in Pakistan. Dr Nafis Sadiq, Special envoy of the UN Secretary General and Begum Laila Sarfaraz, Vice Chairperson APWA and Sohail Safdar, Secretary MoWD, addressed the press corps and answered questions.
At the Millennium Summit in September 2000, 147 Heads of States affirmed their commitment to work towards a world in which sustainable development and elimination of poverty would be the highest priorities.
The MDGs have been agreed by UN member states, including Pakistan, as a commonly accepted framework for measuring progress. ‘We are committed to the MDGs and are working hard for Goal 3, in particular that relates to the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women’ said Nilofer Bakhtiar.
“Goal 3 was on the APWA’s agenda too and was held as a principal objective by Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan for 55 years’ affirmed Begum Laila Sarfaraz. The Conference is also homage to the memory of Begum Liaquat Ali Khan, the Founder of APWA. A documentary on her life will be shown in the opening session of the Conference on 28th March, which will be chaired by the Prime Minister. Khushali Bank, DFIT and CNN were acknowledged for their role in making the documentary.
The conference will review the progress made so far in implementing the MDGs globally and will specifically focus on the Asia Pacific region. It expects to bring the current situation of women in the region to the fore of national agendas and also take stock of progress made in implementing conventions and declarations including the Beijing Platform of Action and the CEDAW. ‘A main objective of the Conference will be to increase awareness on gender equity among national governments, local authorities, NGOs and private sector” the Advisor said.
Queries relating to violence against women dominated interaction with media persons. Responding to the concerns Dr Nafis Sadiq said that the frequency of violence appears to be on the rise due to its reporting and public sphere visibility.
An expected outcome of the three day meeting will be the Islamabad Plan of Action which will be presented at the United Nations by APWA.
Source: The News
Date:3/27/2005
” 
” 
” 
” 
