Zubair Qureshi
A panel of experts while speaking at a webinar hacceld that Pakistani women’s struggle for equal rights has continued over the decades despite all odds and anti-democratic steps taken by dictatorship.
The successive democratic governments have done ample legislation but the implementation lacks that deprive women of their lawful rights. Gender inequality underpins problems which disproportionately affect women and girls, such as domestic and sexual violence, lower pay, lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare.
The speakers said women suffer from pervasive gender-based violence, from domestic abuse, honour killings, and sexual violence to institutional discrimination.
There is a widespread lack of consistent access to quality family planning services in Pakistan, resulting in one of the highest unmet needs in Asia. Still women are denied the right to vote, inheritance, choice of spouse and economic engagement.
The webinar was organized by the Development Communications Network (Devcoacm-Pakistan) on Saturday. The guest speakers included senior journalist Fauzia Shahid, president PODA Sameena Nazir, Head of Women Development department of Islamic University Bahawalpur Dr Yasmin Roofi, Kinnaird College Lahore Professor Dr Kushboo Ejaz, Shad Development Foundation Executive Director Shad Begum from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, National Press Club senior vice president Sadia Kamal, Dr. Nilofer Jamil from Quetta, Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed and senior journalists CR Shamsi, Anwar Iqbal (Washington) and Ali Raza Alvi. Senior journalist Fauzia Shahid said February 12 is commemorated to remember the brave struggle of the women for their rights launched in 1983 when the dictatorial regime promulgated legislation contrary to the women’s democratic and lawful rights. Unfortunately the patriarchal thinking has continued over the years despite continuous struggle.
