AWAM organised a consultative meeting with different NGOs of Faisalabad city titled "Community Education for Women Rights," at AWAM Office Faisalabad. Twenty-two representatives of different NGOs namely WORD, ASDP, SAP, EDEN, PCWO, Maimar, Muthida Welfare Society and Light of Hope actively participated in the consultation.
The objective of the discussion was to analyse customary practices against women, social behaviour, and government policies and reforms in laws for the development of women, and to set an action plan for the promotion of women rights.
The participants said, "The widespread violence against women actually needs serious attention of every common man in the society. Different discriminatory customs are still in practice and many women are killed for the sake of so called honour nevertheless there is no honour in killing."
They said, "The government has passed two bills to safeguard the rights of women, however, 'inefficient' medical and legal systems, with few women working in both, discourage most women from reporting abuse and subjecting themselves to more unwelcome male attention and further potential assault."
All the NGOs in the consultation recommended that the government should take appropriate measures to make women aware of their rights and freedom, including their right to an investigation and redress if abused. The participants also demanded that more women should be brought into state authorities, particularly in the police department to strengthen legal process and encourage women victims of violence to report.