Director General of the Chief Minister Punjab's Strategic Reforms Unit Salman Sufi has been selected as an Honoree for Voices of Solidarity Award 2017 to be presented by Vital Voices Global Partnership, an organisation under the chairmanship of Hillary Clinton on the 4th of December at the IAC HQ, New York City. The award honours men who have fought and struggled to eliminate violence against women and girls. This was stated in information of DGPR here Sunday.
Voices of Solidarity award is a presentation to remarkable men who have shown courage and compassion in advocating on behalf of women and girls around the world. Salman Sufi's dedicated efforts significant contributions to the cause of women's empowerment in Punjab have earned him the status of a male champion for the cause.
He played an instrumental role in the drafting and passage of the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016. His efforts enabled implementation of South Asia's first Violence Against Women Center constructed in Multan, Pakistan. This Center is a stop model for women survivors of violence with police, prosecution; medico-legal and counselling services all housed under one roof.
He also serves additional charge for Director General Punjab Women Protection Authority which is a corporate structure charged with replicating VAWCs across Punjab. He has also advocated for female mobility and independence by introducing the Women-on-Wheels Project that provides women with free motorbike training.
Pakistan taking the lead on GBV may be considered a rare sight from a global perspective where the country ranks as the fourth worst country in the world for women. However, Sufi has clearly put forth a powerful counter-narrative on efforts being made in Pakistan to fight GBV.