AWAM holds seminar

Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) organised a seminar in connection with international human rights day, on the theme "Basic concepts of human rights and social behaviours" in collaboration with Development Organisation for Social Transformation (DOST), Women Organisation for Reform & Development (WORD) and Light of Hope.
The speakers of the seminar called upon the government to ensure enforcement and implementation upon existing laws for protection of human rights; ban inhuman and illegal outmoded customs and traditions against women; outlaw customary and informal courts and take punitive actions against the violators. They also urged the government to repeal all laws that discriminate on the basis of religion and gender to include women, women with disabilities and religious minorities in the mainstream.
Moreover, they also demand the government to rectify UN treaties CRPD, CCPR and CAT to strengthen the protection of human rights and the rule of law, incorporating the ratified treaties into domestic legislation.
The speakers of the seminar included Naseem Anthony (Executive Secretary-AWAM), Khalida Mansoor (M.N.A), Dr Najma Afzal (Shaheed Benazir Bhuto Women Centre), Sadaqat Hussain Lodhi Advocate, Nazia Sardar, Malik Ashraf (DO Social Welfare), Mumtaz Kausar, Julia Mehboob (DOST), Nadeem Rapheal (WORD) and Arooj-e-Mariam (Light of Hope).
This seminar was held at Sandal Bar Hotel Faisalabad, in which over 150 people including representatives of different NGOs, lawyers, teachers, working women, women with disabilities, community and political leaders, students and journalists participated.
Naseem Anthony said, "The government must provide equal rights to empower marginalised groups (women, minorities, children, people with disability) of the society". Khalida Mansoor said, "Human rights cannot be availed without awareness, struggle and sacrifice. All the citizens of Pakistan must play their due role in countering terrorism, because hundreds of innocent Pakistanis have lost their lives in the terrorist attacks", she added.
Dr Najma Afzal said, "Human rights situation in Pakistan is worst because laws for the defence of human rights in our country are not properly implemented and enforced, but are violated. We should unite and raise voice against any injustice in the society for prevention of human rights violations".
Sadaqat Hussain Lodhi said, "Landlords and feudal have been the rulers in the history of Pakistan who have immensely violated human rights, laws and constitution. "The rulers have introduced policies and laws in the name of religion to prolong their tenure, so all discriminatory laws should be repealed being contradictory to fundamental rights".
Nazia Sardar said, "Violence against women in our society is not considered as crime but social right of men. "We must accept and respect women leadership in all spheres of life to bring about a positive change in behaviours towards women in the society".