SDPI conducts seminar on legislative measures to protect women and girls from violence

As part of their initiatives to Mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence WORD and SDPI conducted the second day of the panel discussion on Social and Legal Justice through Institutions to Curb Violence against Women. The emphasis was on legislative measures to protect women and girls from violence.



The speakers for the panel discussion were Dr. Fouzia Saeed Chairperson National Implementation Watch Committee (NIWC)/ Director Mehergarh, Kira Zaporski Vice Consul US Embassy/Lawyer, Aqsa Khan Director Women’s Organization for Rights and Development (WORD), Faryal Gohar Women’s Rights Activist and Mome Saleem research Associate SDPI. Mome Saleem carried out the proceedings.



Kira Zaporski shared her perspective that it is not only important to pass a piece of legislation but raise awareness about the law so that victims have access to justice. The US Violence against Women Act 1994 is being implemented through a coordinated response on working with organizations at the local level with the respective States. We need to think out of the box about different ways of countering violence against women. She suggested further brainstorming, elimination of gaps, follow ups and assessment plans according to the respective cultures.



While appreciating the mechanism implemented by the US government to curb violence against women Mome Saleem said that every culture has its facets of violence which can only be countered by working in line with the indigenous culture. Dr. Fouzia Saeed shared the Pakistan perspective in not only working in drafting the laws but also what were the challenges in getting the laws approved pertaining to the mindset that a specific legislation would not be possible. She also stressed that there is a need to get over the fatalistic and coordinate the positive efforts with the active involvement of Civil Society Organizations. She also stressed that change of attitude is a big hurdle but it can also a significant facilitator. She appreciated the commitment of the public sector within which 36 Ministries have adopted the Code and constituted three member enquiry committees. Focus has been on setting up mechanisms within the organizations she cited the example of State Bank of Pakistan in issuing guidelines for various banks to adopt the Code of Conduct.



Aqsa Khan Director WORD presented the overview on the need for the law was to provide an opportunity to organizations to develop self regulatory mechanisms to handle sexual harassment internally. The responsibility is on the management to take charge of the transformation of their institutional culture in creating zero tolerance to sexual harassment and ensuring a dignified environment for both men and women workers.



Faryal Gohar a human rights activist and a writer, her contribution to poverty alleviation were appreciated by the Planning Commission of Pakistan. While presenting the vote of thanks she shared her thoughts on depriving women and girls of their and economic social opportunities is also a form of violence. Reflecting on her experience of the flood affected areas she explained the devastating state of affairs of women of the affected regions. She also appreciated the efforts of the stakeholders on not just getting the anti sexual harassment laws passed but also organizing discussion on the issue and building an understanding on the implementation aspects.