KARACHI: Speakers stressed the need for a strong and robust response mechanism to end sexual and other forms of gender-based violence in the Sindh.

They were speaking at the seminar titled “Generation Equality Stands Against Rape - Prevention, Response and Rehabilitation” organized by the UN Women Pakistan in collaboration with Women Development Department (WDD) and Sindh Commission on the Status of Women (SCSW) here on Monday. The seminar marked the inauguration of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which is a global campaign that takes place each year from 25th of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10th of December, Human Rights Day.

The 16 Days campaign is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister for WDD Syeda Shehla Raza said: “Work on preventing and ending violence against women at the global, regional and national levels shows that there is widespread impunity on sexual violence and rape. This topic is usually considered as taboo and not debated among people. This year, it is stressed to break the silence and talk against rape.” She said that with the support of UN Women, the WDD has revised Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) Policy which will also be launched soon.

SCSW Chairperson Nuzhat Shirin said that “Rape is a non-negotiable crime”. It cannot be forgiven nor forgotten which leaves lifelong scars on the victim. Rape is the most heinous crime and remains unreported by victims due to stigma attached with it which in return do not punish the perpetrators. That’s why the number is increasing day by day especially rape with the children. SCSW receive many complaints on sexual violations of both girls and boys and Commission also looks for such cases in newspapers, it is unfortunate that the confidentiality and privacy rights of survivors are not respected. Commission is working to protect women and girls from sexual exploitation and abuse including rape.

Dr. Alia Shahid, Secretary WDD, took pride in talking about the partnership of WDD and UN Women. She briefed the participants of the event on the background and history of 16 days of activism. She said, “Gender-Based Violence is the violation of human rights”. WDD has come up with a strong sexual violence response framework that would work to end violence- including rape- against girls and women, she added. The framework covers three main areas i.e. Prevention, Response and Rehabilitation which were also the main topics of the event.

The panellists discussed the role of government and non-governmental organizations could play for education and awareness of communities in order to prevent rape and other forms of violence against women and girls.

A discussion on response mechanism focused on existing response mechanism for rape victims and challenges faced by survivors. Panellists also discussed the role of criminal justice system, police, and medico legal departments in addressing the issues of GBV victims and issues and challenges faced by them. Dr. Rana, panellist in this session, said that women victims want to appear before the women judges and women prosecution and proceeding of the case which must be in closed door session. “One women police station is required in every 20 police stations in the province. It is an approved plan but still pending.”

All the women machineries including government departments, women MPAs, ministers, civil society organizations, academicians, students, and representatives from NGOs, INGOs and UN

agencies attended the event.—PR