Aurat Foundation launches the campaign “Adm Tashadud Kai Liey Hum AAWAZ”

Lahore: Begum Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din, Minister of Women Development said that gender-based violence is one of the most significant mechanisms by which the state and societies retain power over women, their lives and choices. Capacity gaps mean women are less likely than men to have the education, contacts and resources needed to become effective leaders. Despite successful actions by women’s organizations over the past decades, the scale and severity of discrimination and violence against women (VAW) is on the rise. She appreciated Chief Minister efforts for approving Punjab Protection of Women against Violence 2015. She was addressing on the launching campaign Adm Tashadud Kai Liey Hum AAWAZ”.

The event was organized by Aurat Foundation, SPO, SAP-PK and Sungi under AAWAZ Voice and Acooutiblity Programme. Speakers were Regional Manager Aurat Foundation Mumtaz Mughal, Dr. Farzana Nazir, MPA from PML-N and Convener Women Caucus Punjab, Amina Ulfat, PML Q, Muhammad Sulman, Director Planning Social Welfare Punjab, Munoo Bhai, Columnist, Naeema Malik, National Manager SAP PK, Salman Abid, Regional Director  SPO, Amail Khattak, National Manager Sungi Foundation.

While addressing the event, Begum Hameeda Waheed U Din said that the campaign, “Adm Tashadud Kai Liey Hum AAWAZ” is an excellent initiative from civil society organizations. It will also contribute to convince ordinary men and women across targeted areas that by working together they can end all VAW.

Regional Manager Aurat Foundation Mumtaz Mughal said that AAWAZ Program is working for bringing change in the behaviors of women, girls, men and boys to create an environment where VAW is not tolerated. According to Aurat Foundation VAW report 2014, more than 7010 cases have been reported. In first six month of 2015 Aurat Foundation VAW report, 2926 cases have been reported. Many more cases of domestic violence remain unreported.  Pakistan is one of the top three most dangerous countries in the World for women. Pakistan’s performance in terms of the Gender Inequality Index (GII) is one of the worst. Pakistan has a GII value of 0.563, slipping down to 126th out of 149 countries in the 2013 index. Pakistan ranks last in women participation in the workforce among the SAARC countries. They comprise 42 per cent of the total family labor but are mostly unacknowledged. She further said that domestic violence has become a household terrorism.

Dr. Farzana Nazir, MPA from PML-N and Convener Women Caucus Punjab said that we should stand up and speak up against domestic violence for creating prosperous communities and hitting a woman is never justified. She said that in our society, there is recognition and understanding of domestic violence in our society and consequently, communities deem it unacceptable. There is a need to reduce the social acceptance of violence against women.

Amina Ulfat, PML Q said that in Pakistan there have been positive changes in women’s rights and gender equality over the past decades like more women accessing higher education, success stories of women economic participation, more women in parliament and participating in political processes.

Muhammad Sulman, Director Planning Social Welfare Punjab shared that Punjab government is going to initiate Punjab Women Protect Bill 2015. The bill will encompasses all violence against women crimes including abetment of an offence, domestic abuse, emotional, psychological and verbal abuse, economic abuse, stalking, cyber-crime and all others laid out in other acts and laws. He shared that violence against women center’s (VAWC) and shelter homes will be established in all Punjab’s districts in a phased approach.  Violence against Women Center will be converging point for all essential services to ensure justice delivery including provision of first aid, police reporting, registration of criminal cases, medical examination, collection of forensic evidence, and provision of legal aid to aggrieved person.

Speakers stressed upon Punjab government regarding to introduce Women Protect Bill immediately in provincial assembly and pass DVB as CM promised in women empowerment package 2012.