Ahsan says women’s representation in workforce remains low in Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said committing violence against women in any form was a sheer violation of human rights and dignity.
In his tweet in connection with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the prime minister said, “A society cannot claim to be civilized leave alone being democratic if it condones violence under any pretext.”
The prime minister urged all to contribute towards ending violent practices against women. “On this Day today, let us all pledge to play our part to put an end to such practices,” he stressed.
The Declaration of the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.” Moreover, The Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives has launched a 16-day campaign against Gender Based Violence (GBV) and established a Gender Unit in the ministry amid the socioeconomic empowerment of women to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Friday.
This is an annual international campaign that begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until Human Rights Day (Dec 10). The campaign was formally launched by the Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal during a ceremony held here at the ministry.
While highlighting the women rights protected by the Islam and constitution, the Minister said that Islam empowered then women with the most progressive rights since the 7th century but unfortunately, their rights are misinterpreted. When Islam granted inheritance rights to women at that time the west had no idea of women inheritance rights, said the Minister. “The development process of any country remains slow if the women are not given equal opportunities,” said the Minister, while highlighting the significance of the women’s participation in the development of the country. The minister further said that unfortunately, the women’s participation in the development process is weak and this campaign and Gender Unit will help to get the desired results.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Planning Commission, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, said that the campaign will help to create awareness among the masses to eliminate the cases of violence against the women. “The government is committed to empower the country’s women and the Gender Unit is one of the examples to empower the women,” he added.
The participants appreciated the minister’s efforts for launching the campaign and Gender Unit and assured their full support to empower the women. The launching-ceremony was attended by the Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), Nilofar Bakhtiar, Executive Director, Higher Education Commission HEC, Dr Shaista Sohail, Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP, Amna Baig, students and civil society activities.
