• The campaign was launched to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
• A Gender Unit was also set up socio-economic empowerment of women
• The international campaign will run until Human Rights Day on Dec 10

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives has launched a 16-day campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and established a Gender Unit in the ministry to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The annual international campaign, which will run until Human Rights Day on December 10, was launched by the Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal.

The launching-ceremony was attended by the Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Nilofar Bakhtiar, Executive Director Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Shaista Sohail, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Amna Baig, students, and civil society agencies.

“The development process of any country remains slow if the women are not given equal opportunities,” said the minister, while highlighting the significance of women’s participation in the development of the country.

The minister further said that unfortunately, women’s participation in the development process is weak and this campaign and the Gender Unit will help get desired results.

The campaign will be run in educational institutes of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from November 25 to till December 10 in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA).

The Young Development Fellows (YDF) attached with the ministry will visit educational institutes to create awareness among the masses. The representatives of FIA will give presentations on cybercrime laws and policies.

According to a latest research report by digital rights foundation, 40% of women in Pakistan have been victims of cyberbullying in the form of sexual harassment, blackmailing, hate speech, stalking, identity theft and physical threats.

While highlighting the women rights protected by the Islam and constitution, the minister said that Islam empowered women with the most progressive rights but unfortunately, they were misinterpreted.

“When Islam granted inheritance rights to women at that time the west had no idea of women inheritance rights,” said the minister.

He said development projects would be planned according to principles of gender responsiveness in the Gender Unit and will not be approved without ensuring the interests of women.

The participants appreciated the efforts for launching the campaign and Gender Unit and assured their full support to empower the women.

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