International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women observed

Lahore : International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women observed in Punjab . 

In an unprecedented event, Punjab Assembly Building has been clad in orange lights to mark the International sixteen days of activism against gender based violence and reaffirm the commitment of the Provincial Women Development Department (WDD) to end discriminatory attitude against women.

Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that respect for the womenfolk and protection of their rights is an important part of the tenets of Islam. No other society can give an example of the rights given by the religion of Islam to the women.

In his message on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Chief Minister said that dream of prosperity can be materialized by first empowering the women and observed that any injustice meted out with the women is equivalent to cruelty.

He said that provision of resources for empowering the women is a beneficial investment for the constitution of an enlightened society.

He said that provision of redressal to the women affected by torture is an important priority of the government and added that PML-N government has taken practical steps to protect the rights of the women.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Women Development Department Punjab, Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din said that Punjab government stands committed to put an end to violence and discriminatory attitude towards women who constitute 50% of the population of the country.

She said that as a part of international campaign against gender based violence, WDD has launched “her talk 2017” campaign about rights of women and their importance in the process of national development and prosperity.

She said in this context “Orange the World” theme of UN, activities have been organized in most of the countries around the world, with a purpose to reach out a maximum number of people of the world.

She said that WDD has embarked upon a robust campaign “her talk” to raise awareness with the active association of UNWOMEN.

Eminent activists of women rights and others have also been associated to join WDD in carrying out all activities towards this end.

She said keeping in view the importance of this campaign, a series of the events has been organized. Various competitions, walks and women cycle race will help promote the cause and gender awareness campaign among all sections of the society. There is also a need to mobilize and activate women towards protection of their constitutional, legal and moral rights, concluded the Minister.

The colourful inaugural ceremony was addressed by Provincial Secretary WDD Bushra Aman, Country representative of UNWOMEN Jamshed Kazi and Shaista Pervaiz Malik MNA. A large number of women parliamentarians, NGOs, public functionaries and women belonging to different fields of life, staff of WDD and others were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Provincial Secretary WDD, Bushra Aman in her welcome addressed briefed the participants about 16-days “her talk” campaign by the department.

Later, the Provincial Minister, Hameeda Waheed ud Din along with others participants released sky lanterns and balloons in the air. Students of Lahore College for Women University presented Mime on the occasion.

During the 16-days of activism to end violence against women various activities will be held by WDD from November 24 to December 10.