Lecture on violence against women held at FJWU
Afshan S. Khan, Rawalpindi
The Women Research and Resource Centre (WRRC) at the Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) organised a lecture on ‘Violence Against Women (VAW)’ here on Wednesday.
Musarrat Misbah, owner and president of the ‘Depilex Smile Again Foundation’ was the key speaker on the occasion.
The speaker was formally introduced and welcomed by Dr. Samina Amin Qadir, dean of the Social Sciences and the Women Research and Resource Centre in-charge. She briefed the audience on the contributions of Musarrat Misbah in helping the victims of acid and kerosene burns not only in medical care and assistance, but also in providing them opportunities to become productive and self-reliant members of society.
Dr. Samina Amin Qadir also deliberated on the role of WRRC, which was established to sensitise women on gender issues and emphasise research on gender and social issues to reflect the academic and professional development of women in general and within the context of society in particular.
Musarrat Misbah shared her experiences with students about victims of acid and kerosene burns. She said that her foundation is not only providing medical treatment free of cost to the victims, but also help them in standing up on their feet to become productive citizens of Pakistan.
She said: “We need strong measures to end these crimes by giving severe punishments to the accused and providing justice to the victims. The number of victims per year is on the rise, which is alarming.” She said that the mothers could play important role in implanting the values of tolerance in their children, which can reduce these deliberate actions.
Sabra, a victim of kerosene burns, told the audience that she was burnt because of the dowry issue and shared her experience on how she survived through the circumstances and now working, as a coordinator with the ‘Depilex Smile Again Foundation’.
FJWU Department of Communication and Media Studies Chairperson Dr. Shamim M. Zaidi said that Musarrat Misbah has written a story of humanity, compassion and care and is giving confidence and hope to the acid burn victims.
In the end, university souvenirs were presented to the honourable speaker as a token of appreciation by FJWU Vice Chancellor Dr. Saeeda Asadullah Khan.
Source: The News
Date:10/14/2010
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