A consultation meeting titled "Community Education for Women rights" was organised under the auspices of Awam at Caritas Office in Faisalabad.
Thirty-three (33) Muslim and Christian male and female representatives from various civil society organisations namely ASDP, DAWN, CHAIN, Zeenat Welfare, Jinnah Welfare, Muttahida Welfare Society, WADA and Maumar actively participated in the consultation meeting.
The purpose of the consultation was to analyse violence against women, outmoded customary practices, social behaviour and govt policies and reform in laws for development of women, and to set an action plan for the promotion of women rights.
The participants said, "Violence against women is the worst form of violation of human rights in Pakistan, which includes rape, naked parading, mutilation, acid throwing, wanni, sawara, karo kari, bridal exchange etc".
"Discriminatory treatment against women negates the principle of equal rights and human dignity, not only makes hurdles in social, political, economic and cultural fields, but also depresses the capabilities and confidence of women" they added.
The participants said, "We need to organise activities creating awareness for the promotion of women rights, and must stand against the biased behaviour towards women in the society." They recommended that government should include women in the process of law making and policy-making, and should remove quota system.
Moreover government must take practical steps for ensuring the proper implementation of the CEDAW convention, and make committees under CEDAW convention functional. They recommended that print and electronic media should portray the positive role of women and must initiate consciousness-raising programmes regarding women rights.