KARACHI: Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on Friday announced to set up an efficient task force for the protection of females. The Minister was a part of the 16-day campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with Young Development Fellows.
In the 16-day campaign that started on 25th November on the day of the International Elimination of Violence against women. A gender unit has also been initiated by the Ministry to ensure better gender policies.
Iqbal also emphasized that the role of women in society is pivotal and no country can progress without woman’s participation. He also gave examples of China and Bangladesh, referring to their representation rights that have contributed to the progress.
The conference was attended by the Executive Director (HEC), Dr. Shaista Sohail, Vice Chancellor, (RMU) Dr. Alina Kamal, Young Development Fellows (YDFs) of the Planning Ministry, civil society members and students.
Youth Development Foundation with Ministry conducted seminars in numerous educational institutes intending to create awareness regarding the cybercrime and gender-based violence. Also, members from the Federal Investigation Agency, Higher Education Commission (HEC), and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) also took part in the campaign.
A booklet by the Minister includes awareness topics like violence against women and women-oriented laws in Pakistan that safeguards their rights. The booklet will be distributed via HEC in all the universities.
Furthermore, the Planning Minister added, that he regrets that women in past were deprived of equal presentation. Adding that in today’s time their participation is comparatively more especially in the education sector. Women being enrolled more than males is a positive sign of growth.
Iqbal also added that lack of education is proportion to the violence against women. Educated women being subjected to violence at the hands of elite men is alarming too. The cases of violence, cyber-crimes, sexual harassment, hate speech, and black-mailing are increasing sharply in Pakistan. Numerous cases go unreported often due to the terror and pressurizing on the family of victims.
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