The Education Promotion Society (EPS) in collaboration with KNH organised a five-day workshop titled "Human Rights Education and Capacity Building" at Centre for Peace and Harmony in Faisalabad. The trainers of the workshop called upon the government to take appropriate measures for the improvement in human rights situation in Pakistan.
They urged the government to abolish all forms of discriminations existing in the constitution, laws, policies and curriculum against women and religious minorities. The trainers of the workshop included Father Nisar Barkat (Director-NCJP), Ester Unique (National Co-ordinator-EPS), Sadaqat Sardar (Caritas), Suneel Malik (NCJP), Naseem Anthony (AWAM), Chaudhry Anwar Advocate, Shahid Anwar (NCJP) and Shazia George (AWAM).
17 trainees from four organisations namely IRDC, EACH, PSDO and CTTC actively participated in the workshop. Father Nisar Barkat said, "We have to make certain changes in our behaviour and must overcome the violence in our homes to make the society developed, peaceful, non-violent and prosperous."
"It is the responsibility of a good leader to raise voice against injustice and bad traditions which leave negative effects on the society", he added. Suneel Malik said, "The government should provide equal opportunities to every citizen regardless of religion, sex, sect and language and must implement United Nations treaties for improvement in human rights situation in Pakistan".
Naseem Anthony said, "Women are compelled to confine themselves within homes in our society and they are not involved in decision making in all aspects of life". "Civil society must play their role to eradicate the discrimination and violence against women", he pointed out.
Chaudhry Anwar Advocate said, "It is impossible to make a society prosperous and civilised unless we give the equal rights to the marginalised groups (women, minorities and children)". Sadaqat Sardar said, "Leaders are the pillars of a society so they should be educated, courageous and must have vision and positive thinking".
Shahid Anwar said, "It is responsibility of the government to establish human rights institutions in the state for the protection and promotion of human rights". Shazia George said, "Women empowerment is impossible unless women are allowed to take decision of their own lives and must take part in the political process".