Aurat Foundation, in collaboration with Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) organised a study circle on November 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women.   The study circle was organised on 25 November, 2015, at Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Islamabad.  Participants included women member of National Assembly, who are also member of Women Parliamentary Caucus, women journalists and representatives of civil society.

Parliamentarians who  attended the study circle included  Dr Fauzia Hameed MQM, Ms Asia Naz Tanoli PML-N, Ms Mussarat Rafique PPPP,  Dr  Shazia Sobia, PPPP, Ms Suraiya Jatui, PPPP, Ms Shahida Rehmani,  PPPP, Ms Shakila Luqman Chaudhry, PML-N, Ms  Shazia Ashfaq, PML-N, Ms Naseema Hafeez  Panezai  PMAP, Ms  Munazzia  Hasan PTI, and former MNA and  member  Council of  Islamic Ideology (CII) Dr Samia Raheel Qazi.

The theme for study circle was ‘Significance of 16 Days of Activism and Role of Parliamentarians in Elimination of Violence against Women’. The study circle was intended to highlight the systemic nature of gender based violence that encourages inequality and discrimination and how women parliamentarians can play an effective role in its elimination.

Ms Tahira Aurangzeb, MNA, and member Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) briefed the participants on the significance of 16 days of activism and role of parliamentarians in  elimination of violence against women. She  said that violence  against  women is  not confined  to  any particular political or economic system, but it prevalent in every society in the  world.  A World Health Organization’s report  reveals  that  physical and  sexual violence against  women affects more than  one-third of women globally, she further said.

The  Constitution of  Pakistan  under  Article 25 (2) states that “There  shall be no discrimination on the  basis of sex alone”, however  Article 26 (2) observes that  “Nothing in  clause  (1)  shall prevent  the  state  from making any special  provision for women  and children”. However, the  situation  on ground is different, she said.   

While elaborating the  work of Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), a  cross party forum for women parliamentarians, Ms Aurangzeb said the  Caucus has proposed some of the most innovative legislation including the ‘National Commission on  the Status of Women Act 2012, ‘Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill, 2011’, ‘The  Acid Control and  Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010’,  ‘The  Criminal Protection against Harassment of Women at  the  Workplace Act, 2010’,  and ‘The  Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill,  2009’.

Prof Farkhanda Aurangzeb, Director Coordination and Resource  Mobilization, Aurat  Foundation, spoke  on  the significance of  16 Days of  Activism, tracing  its  historical perspective and relating  to  our own social systems related to attitudes of violence prevalent nationally and globally.    

Ms Rabeea Hadi, Director Advocacy, Aurat Foundation, gave a detailed presentation on the history of ’16 Days of Activism’ and situation of violence in Pakistan during January – June 2015 period. Telling the history of 16 days of activism she said  that  November 25was declared as a day against violence against women by the first Feminist Encuentro for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogota, Colombia, 18 to 21 July, 1981. It originally marked the day that the three Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated in 1960 during the Trujillo dictatorship (Rafael Trujillo 1930-1961).

Ms Rabeea Haid,  while giving the figures  of violence  against  women said  that 7 women per day fall  under the category of Murder, Honor killing and suicide, 5 women are kidnapped or abducted per day, 3 women are raped or gang raped  daily, and 1 women face domestic violence every day.

Situation of Violence Against Women (VAW) during January – June 2015 period

 

Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Joint Secretary, Project Management Unit (PMU), National Assembly, talked about  how social attitudes  and  domestic environment  contribute  in  violence against women and its prevalence Pakistan.

Ms Shahida Akhtar  Ali, MNA, concluded  the  study circle. She  paid  tribute to  the  first and only women pilot Marriyum Mukhtar, who died in a  plane crash during  a training flying  session yesterday. 

The 16-days, starting from November 25 – International Day Against Violence Against Women, till  December 10 – International Human Rights Day, were chosen to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. The 16-days period also highlights: November 29 – the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1- the World AIDS Day, December 3 – the International Day of Persons with Disability, and December 6 which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

The participants agreed on some daunting challenges and recommendations how to resolve  these. The said that  there is a notable  absence of state response and larger framework that needs to strengthen institutional mechanism including gender crime cell,  women caucuses, national policy framework on VAW (internally displaced, disability).  They agreed that  for implementation of laws and criminal justice system for VAW we need  to take male parliamentarians  on board.

Aurat Foundation, in collaboration with Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) organised a study circle on November 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women.   The study circle was organised on 25 November, 2015, at Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Islamabad.  Participants included women member of National Assembly, who are also member of Women Parliamentary Caucus, women journalists and representatives of civil society.

Parliamentarians who  attended the study circle included  Dr Fauzia Hameed MQM, Ms Asia Naz Tanoli PML-N, Ms Mussarat Rafique PPPP,  Dr  Shazia Sobia, PPPP, Ms Suraiya Jatui, PPPP, Ms Shahida Rehmani,  PPPP, Ms Shakila Luqman Chaudhry, PML-N, Ms  Shazia Ashfaq, PML-N, Ms Naseema Hafeez  Panezai  PMAP, Ms  Munazzia  Hasan PTI, and former MNA and  member  Council of  Islamic Ideology (CII) Dr Samia Raheel Qazi.

The theme for study circle was ‘Significance of 16 Days of Activism and Role of Parliamentarians in Elimination of Violence against Women’. The study circle was intended to highlight the systemic nature of gender based violence that encourages inequality and discrimination and how women parliamentarians can play an effective role in its elimination.

Ms Tahira Aurangzeb, MNA, and member Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) briefed the participants on the significance of 16 days of activism and role of parliamentarians in  elimination of violence against women. She  said that violence  against  women is  not confined  to  any particular political or economic system, but it prevalent in every society in the  world.  A World Health Organization’s report  reveals  that  physical and  sexual violence against  women affects more than  one-third of women globally, she further said.

The  Constitution of  Pakistan  under  Article 25 (2) states that “There  shall be no discrimination on the  basis of sex alone”, however  Article 26 (2) observes that  “Nothing in  clause  (1)  shall prevent  the  state  from making any special  provision for women  and children”. However, the  situation  on ground is different, she said.   

While elaborating the  work of Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), a  cross party forum for women parliamentarians, Ms Aurangzeb said the  Caucus has proposed some of the most innovative legislation including the ‘National Commission on  the Status of Women Act 2012, ‘Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill, 2011’, ‘The  Acid Control and  Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010’,  ‘The  Criminal Protection against Harassment of Women at  the  Workplace Act, 2010’,  and ‘The  Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill,  2009’.

Prof Farkhanda Aurangzeb, Director Coordination and Resource  Mobilization, Aurat  Foundation, spoke  on  the significance of  16 Days of  Activism, tracing  its  historical perspective and relating  to  our own social systems related to attitudes of violence prevalent nationally and globally.    

Ms Rabeea Hadi, Director Advocacy, Aurat Foundation, gave a detailed presentation on the history of ’16 Days of Activism’ and situation of violence in Pakistan during January – June 2015 period. Telling the history of 16 days of activism she said  that  November 25was declared as a day against violence against women by the first Feminist Encuentro for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogota, Colombia, 18 to 21 July, 1981. It originally marked the day that the three Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated in 1960 during the Trujillo dictatorship (Rafael Trujillo 1930-1961).

Ms Rabeea Haid,  while giving the figures  of violence  against  women said  that 7 women per day fall  under the category of Murder, Honor killing and suicide, 5 women are kidnapped or abducted per day, 3 women are raped or gang raped  daily, and 1 women face domestic violence every day.

Situation of Violence Against Women (VAW) during January – June 2015 period

 

Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Joint Secretary, Project Management Unit (PMU), National Assembly, talked about  how social attitudes  and  domestic environment  contribute  in  violence against women and its prevalence Pakistan.

Ms Shahida Akhtar  Ali, MNA, concluded  the  study circle. She  paid  tribute to  the  first and only women pilot Marriyum Mukhtar, who died in a  plane crash during  a training flying  session yesterday. 

The 16-days, starting from November 25 – International Day Against Violence Against Women, till  December 10 – International Human Rights Day, were chosen to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. The 16-days period also highlights: November 29 – the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1- the World AIDS Day, December 3 – the International Day of Persons with Disability, and December 6 which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

The participants agreed on some daunting challenges and recommendations how to resolve  these. The said that  there is a notable  absence of state response and larger framework that needs to strengthen institutional mechanism including gender crime cell,  women caucuses, national policy framework on VAW (internally displaced, disability).  They agreed that  for implementation of laws and criminal justice system for VAW we need  to take male parliamentarians  on board.

Aurat Foundation, in collaboration with Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) organised a study circle on November 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women.   The study circle was organised on 25 November, 2015, at Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Islamabad.  Participants included women member of National Assembly, who are also member of Women Parliamentary Caucus, women journalists and representatives of civil society.

Parliamentarians who  attended the study circle included  Dr Fauzia Hameed MQM, Ms Asia Naz Tanoli PML-N, Ms Mussarat Rafique PPPP,  Dr  Shazia Sobia, PPPP, Ms Suraiya Jatui, PPPP, Ms Shahida Rehmani,  PPPP, Ms Shakila Luqman Chaudhry, PML-N, Ms  Shazia Ashfaq, PML-N, Ms Naseema Hafeez  Panezai  PMAP, Ms  Munazzia  Hasan PTI, and former MNA and  member  Council of  Islamic Ideology (CII) Dr Samia Raheel Qazi.

The theme for study circle was ‘Significance of 16 Days of Activism and Role of Parliamentarians in Elimination of Violence against Women’. The study circle was intended to highlight the systemic nature of gender based violence that encourages inequality and discrimination and how women parliamentarians can play an effective role in its elimination.

Ms Tahira Aurangzeb, MNA, and member Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) briefed the participants on the significance of 16 days of activism and role of parliamentarians in  elimination of violence against women. She  said that violence  against  women is  not confined  to  any particular political or economic system, but it prevalent in every society in the  world.  A World Health Organization’s report  reveals  that  physical and  sexual violence against  women affects more than  one-third of women globally, she further said.

The  Constitution of  Pakistan  under  Article 25 (2) states that “There  shall be no discrimination on the  basis of sex alone”, however  Article 26 (2) observes that  “Nothing in  clause  (1)  shall prevent  the  state  from making any special  provision for women  and children”. However, the  situation  on ground is different, she said.   

While elaborating the  work of Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), a  cross party forum for women parliamentarians, Ms Aurangzeb said the  Caucus has proposed some of the most innovative legislation including the ‘National Commission on  the Status of Women Act 2012, ‘Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill, 2011’, ‘The  Acid Control and  Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010’,  ‘The  Criminal Protection against Harassment of Women at  the  Workplace Act, 2010’,  and ‘The  Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill,  2009’.

Prof Farkhanda Aurangzeb, Director Coordination and Resource  Mobilization, Aurat  Foundation, spoke  on  the significance of  16 Days of  Activism, tracing  its  historical perspective and relating  to  our own social systems related to attitudes of violence prevalent nationally and globally.    

Ms Rabeea Hadi, Director Advocacy, Aurat Foundation, gave a detailed presentation on the history of ’16 Days of Activism’ and situation of violence in Pakistan during January – June 2015 period. Telling the history of 16 days of activism she said  that  November 25was declared as a day against violence against women by the first Feminist Encuentro for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogota, Colombia, 18 to 21 July, 1981. It originally marked the day that the three Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated in 1960 during the Trujillo dictatorship (Rafael Trujillo 1930-1961).

Ms Rabeea Haid,  while giving the figures  of violence  against  women said  that 7 women per day fall  under the category of Murder, Honor killing and suicide, 5 women are kidnapped or abducted per day, 3 women are raped or gang raped  daily, and 1 women face domestic violence every day.

Situation of Violence Against Women (VAW) during January – June 2015 period

 

Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Joint Secretary, Project Management Unit (PMU), National Assembly, talked about  how social attitudes  and  domestic environment  contribute  in  violence against women and its prevalence Pakistan.

Ms Shahida Akhtar  Ali, MNA, concluded  the  study circle. She  paid  tribute to  the  first and only women pilot Marriyum Mukhtar, who died in a  plane crash during  a training flying  session yesterday. 

The 16-days, starting from November 25 – International Day Against Violence Against Women, till  December 10 – International Human Rights Day, were chosen to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. The 16-days period also highlights: November 29 – the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1- the World AIDS Day, December 3 – the International Day of Persons with Disability, and December 6 which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

The participants agreed on some daunting challenges and recommendations how to resolve  these. The said that  there is a notable  absence of state response and larger framework that needs to strengthen institutional mechanism including gender crime cell,  women caucuses, national policy framework on VAW (internally displaced, disability).  They agreed that  for implementation of laws and criminal justice system for VAW we need  to take male parliamentarians  on board.

 ‘Gender Based Violence Free District’ campaign was launched in district Kasur by Aurat Foundation in collaboration with the Women Development Department (WDD), Government of Punjab, on 12 November 2015, at Garden City Club, Kasur. The event was organized to launch OXFAM GB supported project ‘Institutional Capacity Strengthening of WDD department Punjab’.
Ms Hameeda Wahuddin, Provincial Minister for Women’s Development & Social Welfare Department, Punjab, Secretary WDD Punjab, Australian High Commissioner Ms Margaret Adamson, Member Provincial Assembly Ms Mari Gill, Secretary women Development Department Dr Aamina Imam, Oxfam GB Country Director Mr Arif Jabbar, DCO Kasur Mr Adnan Arshad Aulak, DIG Motorway Mr Faraan Baig, prominent writers Mr Munno Bhai and Mr Hassena Moin, AF Director Outreach & Network Mr Asim Malik, AF Provincial Manager Ms Mumtaz Mughal, representatives from civil society and government officials attended the event.

Ms Hameeda Wahuddin said the Punjab government had taken concrete measures for the empowerment and development of women and Punjab women empower package 2012-15 are part of it. She said the Punjab government has increased job quota for women from 5% to 15%. Similarly, 50 % funds have been allocated for women in youth business loan programme, she added.
Kasur DCO Mr Adnan Arshad in his address said that the administration and all departments in Kasur would take every possible step for making the district free from gender violence. He said that the transfer of inherited property is being made immediately to women after amendment in Land Revenue Act. Mr Ali Nasir Rizvi said that 2,138 police employees are ensuring elimination gender based violence and protection of women rights.

Mr Arif Jabbar said that Oxfam is working since 1973 and supporting women leadership program from 2004. Oxfam will continue assistance in a various strategies and standards such as Oxfam Pakistan Country Strategy – 2015-2020, humanitarian strategy 2020, Gender Minimum Standards in Emergency, and strategy on women rights in humanitarian programming. Oxfam envisions to bringing about a sustainable changes for ensuring women could control over financial resources, and leadership opportunities. He further shared that Oxfam has signed a MoU with WDD Punjab for their institutional capacity building. This programme will also contribute to piloting women crisis centers to replicate Oxfam’s women protection center model. It also builds synergies and strengthens linkages between federal and provincial ministries to create and ensure compliance to the international commitments and Pakistan Vision 2025.
Ms Aamina Imam said the Government of Punjab, in consultation with all civil society organizations, has evolved legal and institutional system. Similarly, an effective review and monitoring process of women-friendly laws has great importance, she added.Mr Muno Bhai said it is shame for us being resident of very developed province of Punjab in which most of the crimes against women happened during last year. We should treat women as human being. Mainspring equal status and do not show kindness and in courteous. Ms Haseena Moeen said only education can bring change in our society to attain violence free society. She appreciated the struggle of Ms Nigar Ahmad, Executive Director Aurat Foundation, for women’s empowerment in Pakistan.

Ms Mumtaz Mughal said that this situation has marked Pakistan as ‘off-track’ on the global obligations and Pakistan is ranked 2nd worse country in Gender Gap Report, 2013. According to the last six months data on violence against women gathered by Aurat Foundation, 2926 cases have been reported. Many more cases of domestic violence remain unreported. Program target districts fall in top 15 districts of Punjab where more gender based violence cases are occurring i.e., Rawalpindi (149 cases), Muzaffargarh (113 cases), and Kasur with 72 cases are reported while the ratio of unreported cases is high. However the conviction rate for such cases is still very low. According to Punjab DIG Investigation Branch 2013 report, 6 women are murdered or attempted to murder, 8 raped, 11 battered and assaulted, and 32 women are abducted in Punjab daily

Ms Merry Gull said don’t segregate children’s as boys and girls. Treat them human being and only children. Effective implementation of pro-women laws can play vital role to eliminate violence against women. This program will be a unique programme as it is for the first time that the ‘GBV free City/District’ concept will be tested and developed in Pakistan, and we are optimistic for success to achieve the target.

Aurat Foundation started a police training workshop programme a year ago to discuss the new pro-women laws such as Child Marriage Act, Domestic Violence Act and Anti-Women practices Act to ensure the security and protection of women. This year again, on 10-11 November, 2015, at Hotel PC-Karachi, trained police officers met after 6 months under a 2-Days ‘Refresher Training with Police Moharrars and Investigation Officers’ to consider the implementation of the laws and the number of cases submitted under the newly passed Acts. The workshop commenced with a detailed discussion on human rights and its importance by Ms Mahnaz Reham, Resident Director Aurat Foundation. This followed with an informative session by Mr Iqbal Ahmed Detho, Advocate and Trainer, whereby the constitution of Pakistan together with the police rules under PPC were discussed in detail. Mr Detho defined the role and duties of the police under Article (3), Article (4), Article 25(2) and Article (34) of the constitution together with the PPC laws. He also briefed the participants regarding the introduction of a new subject of ‘Human Rights’ under police training. Ms Shireen Aijaz, Regional Coordinator, coordinated the session forward and discussed the key issue of FIR issuance in regard to women victims. Mr Faizullah Korejo, SSP Sindh Police South, further shed light on the same topic in regard to PPC laws and discussed the implementation of these. The 2nd day of the training specifically discussed pro-women laws together with Hudood and Family laws. This was followed by a Certificate Distribution Ceremony by Mr Mushtaq Mahar, CCPO Sindh Police. Mr Mahar also conducted a brief session on importance of FIR issuance and the role of police in regard to women protection directly and indirectly. Women are a crucial part of the society and thereby , they deserve justice.

On Thursday, 29 October, 2015, Aurat Foundation and Pakistan Institute of ICTs for Development (PIID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), at Aurat Foundation Islamabad office, for collaboration in conducting research, training programs and capacity building of different stakeholders in area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Development (ICTD). Mr Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Chief Operating Officer, Aurat Foundation, and Mr Ammar Jaffri, Chief Executive, Pakistan Institute of ICT’s for Development (PIID), signed the MoU, in the presence of Dr Masuma Hasan, President BoG, Aurat Foundation (former Secretary, Cabinet Division, GoP), and Mr Younas Khalid, Chief Strategy & Policy Officer, Aurat Foundation.

By signing the MoU, both the parties have entered into the understanding that they would share their available resources, strengths, space and expertise to enhance the capacities of stakeholders in area of ICTs for Development (ICTD). This would involve people who are engaged in social development and uplifting of communities both from governmental and non-governmental organizations, departments and institutions.

The Pakistan Religious Freedom Initiatives: Leaders of Influence (PRFI) organized a 5-Day Training of  Trainers  (ToT) sessions with police officials from 5-9 October, 2015, at Conference Room, DIGP Training Range Office CPO, Karachi. The main objective of the training was to incorporate human rights, minority rights and gender issues in the core curriculum of Sindh Police Training Institute. Twenty trainers of Sindh Police attended the ToT from various units of Sindh Police. There were many trainers and facilitators who conducted the training sessions including Mr Niaz Siddiqui, former IG Sindh, Ms Fouzia Tariq, HR Defender, Mr Naeem Zeeshan, Police Trainer, Ms Maliha Zia Lari, Consultant AF, Ms Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director AF, Ms Erum Javed, Project Manager PRFI and Ms Fareeda Tahir, Associate Program Manager, PRFI.  

Ms Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director, Aurat Foundation received Award in recognition of her valuable support and contribution towards “making a difference today and for generations to come”. The award was presented in a seminar “Voice of Frails” organized by Dar-ul-Sukoon at PC Karachi on October 3, 2015, to create awareness about problems faced by much neglected senior citizens of our society, marking the International Senior Citizens Day (October 1, 2015).

A provincial level campaign launch event was organized by AAWAZ program consortium partners, namely Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), Aurat Foundation, Sungi, and South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP- PK), on 30 September, 2015, at Falatti’s Hotel. The event was organized to launch the national level campaign ‘Aurton Per Tashadud Ke Khilaf Hum AAWAZ’.

Ms Hameeda Wahuddin, Provincial Minister for Women’s Development & Social Welfare Department, prominent legislators particularly  members of  Women Parliamentary Caucus, Punjab Provincial Assembly, representative from civil society, government officials and renowned writer Mr Munnu Bhai , Ms Naeema Malik, National Manager SAP PK, Mr Salman Abid, Regional Direcotr SPO, and Mr Amail Khattak, Manager Sungi Foundation attended the event.

Ms Hameeda Wahuddin said the government and the Punjab Assembly were trying their best to bring outlaws that could help in protecting women. “This abuse is not part of our culture and we must together condemn it on all account. It is a crime”, She said.

Mr Munnu Bhai said the problem of proving ‘manhood’ in the society was the root cause of violence against women and also not accepting them as equals. “Every human being should be a friend, a companion and a helper to the other human being. Women are thought of as weak and helpless but in the long run have been much stronger even than men in most cases.” Furthermore participants spoke, many women were repeatedly denied their right to economic independence and it was unfortunate that over 10% of women in a city like Lahore were still  without work.

Director Planning social welfare department shared Punjab government is going to present Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Bill, 2015, in forthcoming session. This legislation will encompasses all violence against women crimes including abetting of an offence, domestic abuse, and emotional, psychological and verbal abuse.

Ms Mumtaz Mughal, Regional Manager Aurat Foundation, 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.

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.