Violence against women condemned
By A.B.Arisar
UMERKOT: Speakers have condemned practices leading to violence against women and girls in Pakistan.
They were speaking at a seminar here on Tuesday organised by a local NGO on the eve of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Speaking at the seminar, teachers, women, social activists and peasants condemned violence against women in all its forms.
They also took part in a one million signature campaign and wore white ribbon to express solidarity with women.
The signature campaign will be presented to President Asif Ali Zardari in the shape of a petition for effectively mobilising efforts to protect women from violence.
UC Nazim Ghulam Muhammad Mahar said that violence against women at the hands of men was a coward act, he also condemned the act of throwing acid, maltreating women and honour killing.
He said price-hike, unemployment and starvation had depressed people and they had become intolerant and violent. The government should strive to address public problems.
Karim Bux Shaikh, a social activist, said: “Some rituals have become our culture and we defend them, but now we have to scrutinize the positive and negative rituals through education.” He said that not only men were involved in violence against women, but women herself in the shape of mother-in-law or step-mother victimized other women.
Mir Hassan Arisar said that to provide complete rights to women, principle of equality of men and women in our legal system be incorporated.
He demanded establishment of tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination.
Source: Dawn
Date:11/25/2009
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