Gender Equity Program (GEP) of Aurat Foundation Lahore Office, in collaboration with the Mukhtar Mai Women’s Organization and its PGC group of South Punjab, organized a peaceful protest against the prevailing incidents of violence against women in Multan on March 25, 2014.

GEP team, members of Pakistan Gender Coalition, Citizen Action Committee and women activists of South Punjab region participated in this protest held in front of Multan Press Club followed by a rally.

Aurat Foundation strongly condemned the increasing incidents and cases of gang-rapes, violence, and discrimination against women in South Punjab. Ms Sumera Saleem, Senior Program Officer, Aurat Foundation, stressed on the approval of Domestic Violence Bill at the earliest to ensure safety and security of women and protect them from the dreadful and atrocious acts of sexual harassment, domestic violence and rape etc.

Aurat Foundation also condemned the recent incident of gang-rape that  took place in Muzaffargarh in which the victim attempted suicide by setting herself on fire outside the Bait Mir Hazar Khan Police Station after the main accused declared by the police, innocent. The participants also slammed the incident of kidnap of two girls from their house a couple of day before.

Aurat Foundation emphasized on to take strict actions against the criminals and scolded them to bring such incidents to an end in future.  Mukhtar Mai also showed her deep concerns to the families of victims and emphasized on the dire need of strict legislation& transparent investigation against criminals.