MUHAMMAD SALEEM

LAHORE: Like other parts of the globe, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is being marked here on Saturday (today) with a resolve to continue efforts for putting an end to violence against women.

The day is marked every year on November 25, to show support and solidarity with women suffering various kinds of violence. To mark the day, different events including walks, seminars have been planned to raise awareness against violence against women.

The White Ribbon Campaign is launching “16 Days of Activism” campaign against violence against women on Saturday.

A spokesperson of the NGO told Business Recorder that one in every five women experienced gender-based violence in Pakistan, which contributes to Pakistan’s low ranking in the global gender gap index.

She called for behavioural changes among men, and said that men must take greater responsibility to become part of the solution.

She said, “There are 15 or 16 laws addressing violence against women and children, we people still need to be made aware of these laws. Victims and law enforcement agencies need to be made aware that laws have been promulgated for their protection.”

According to Asian Development Bank report, a staggering 85 percent of women in Pakistan have experienced some form of violence at some point in their lives.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message said the role of the women in the process of national development is praiseworthy and the importance of their role in the development of Pakistan cannot be denied.

“Dream of prosperity can be materialized by first empowering the women,” he said, adding: “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. Giving details about different steps taken by the Punjab government for the welfare of the womenfolk, he said that effective legislation has been made to protect their rights as well as to eliminate the menace of torture in the society.