Seminar on Gender-based Violence against Women: speakers identify root causes of gender disparity

Speakers at awareness seminar on "Gender-based Violence against Women" have said that customary practices, traditional norms and social taboos are the root causes of the growing women gender disparity in the society. The seminar held under auspices of the Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment (DTCE) in connection with national women's day in collaboration with Aurat Foundation under USAID funded Gender Empowerment Programme (GEP), at local hotel here on Thursday.
Notable speakers included Naseer Khan, Provincial Co-ordinator TDCE, Afshan Munawar, Sumaira Farid Co-ordinator Community Development & Social worker, Abida Bano, Co-ordinator Gender Studies Department University of Peshawar, Gulalai Ismail, Maulana Abdul Ahad, women activists. Member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Munawar Anwar was the chief guest on the occasion. A large number of women, members of civil society organisations, lawyers, representatives of Aurat Foundation, NGOs, donor agencies attended the seminar.
Speakers said that women are more vulnerable in term of sexual harassment and domestic violence due to existing customary practices and traditional norms. They stressed the need for equal rights and treatment of women in the society and called for removal all such ill-practices for women empowerment in the society. The participants said the women deliberately were deprived of their social, legal and basic rights in the name of customs, and other traditional norms, which was totally injustice with them.
Afshan Manawar in her presentation explained the different forms of violence against women and said that the ratio of violence against women would be eliminated by brining change in their customs and social norms.
Sumaira Farid, social worker, stressed the need of women empowerment for social and economic development of the country. Ms Sumaira said that the lack of education and awareness were key factors behind the growing inequality and injustice against women.
Rafaqat Bibi said the women trafficking had increased in name of marriages in the society. She urged parliamentarians to raise voice for the rights and protection of women.
Gulalai Ismail, while delivering presentation historic perspective said that it was obligation of everyone to follow the binding laws on women rights, adding that government wasn't sole responsible to implement the laws, but every citizen needs practical apply in their social life.
Abida Bano said that women had greater role in economic and social development. Maulana Ahad, religious scholar explained in detail the status of women and due rights in Islam. He said that Islam gives all rights and privileges to women. Member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Munawar Farman also spoke on the occasion and said that the government was committed to due rights and status of women in the society. She informed that the legislation had been adopted for protection of women rights and elimination of ill-custom practices in the society. Naseer Ahmed, Provincial Co-ordinator, earlier in his welcome addressed explained the aims and objectives of awareness seminar. He said the basic objective was to create awareness and regarding the existing laws on women rights.