16 days of activism to end gender based violence have been launched by AAWAZ funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID). Women from 45 districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gathered in Islamabad on Friday to share their inspirational stories of change. These women were social workers working to reduce gender-based violence, or those who have faced gender-based violence.
During this campaign, collective voices will be raised from union council level to district level for strengthening local, national, regional and international networks to empower women in Pakistan. The launch event also showed solidarity with the worldwide movement to end violence against women by highlighting innovative strategies.
Momentum generated during these 16 days will be gathered and a national joint convention of women assembly will be organized at the end of this campaign. The convention will present the pledges and commitments gathered during the campaign and present its vision to engage with other like-minded groups and seek institutional commitment to end violence against women. This year the campaign continues the theme of "Leave No One Behind; End Violence against Women and girls".
Commenting on the launch event, Head of DFID Pakistan, Joanna Reid said, "Violence against women and girls must stop. How can it ever be justified? Not only stopping it is an essential human right - it will help reduce poverty. Girls who experience violence are less likely to complete their education, they are at greater risk of dying in childbirth and their ability to earn a living is put at risk. I'm so glad that we've launched these 16 days of activism to talk about all these issues. It's the first step towards change."
Naeem Mirza of Aurat Foundation said that "International day of ending violence against women is announced by the UN to commemorate Mirabal or Butterfly Sisters' struggle for women's rights against a dictator and 16 days of activism campaign is also started from this day. There is a dire need to timely pursue and ensure implementation of pro women laws by state departments."
Farhat Saddique, ADF member and activist, came all the way from Dera Ismail Khan, KP, shared her struggles for peace and harmony among different sects to pre-empt sectarian conflicts. Abida Bibi, a UC forum member from Abbottabad, KP, shared her struggle when she challenged local Jirga decision regarding gang rape of the 21 year old girl. She was hopeful that culprit Sohail along with his five friends will be punished soon by high court.
The AAWAZ Voice and Accountability Programme is a DFID funded initiative working at local, provincial and national levels to ensure that democratic processes are more open, inclusive and accountable to citizens. It has a special focus on fostering tolerance and prevention of violence against women and minorities through political participation and other awareness initiatives. It operates across 4,500 villages/semi-urban settlements in 45 districts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. The 16 Days Campaign is an international campaign that started in 1991 originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute.
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