Speakers at a seminar to mark the National Women's Day on Wednesday highlighted how the state repeatedly suppressed the women's struggle for their rights but stressed that success is something that is achieved over the time with continuous struggle and dedication.
The seminar was organised by the Lahore College for Women University in collaboration with the Pakistan Forum for Democratic Policing (PFDP), Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) and the Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department (HRMA) Punjab. A large number of female students participated in the event.
"A house where women are not respected can be broken easily. Similarly, if we would not accept the contributions of women towards the country we can never build a strong country and nation," said Provincial Minister for Women Development Ashifa Riaz Fatyana while speaking as the chief guest.
Over the time, she said, women's participation in every field, especially in legislature, has increased manifold due to their continuous efforts. "Many laws have been made to protect women from sexual harassment at workplaces but such laws must not be exploited," she cautioned.
"Today everyone is talking about the rights and struggle of women in Pakistan, but unfortunately I have seen a very few people talking about the struggle of Kashmiri women who are fighting against the brutalities of the Indian Armed forces and their right to self-determination for decades," added the minister.
Meanwhile, the students performed a play in which they highlighted how a woman has to face sexual harassment at workplace and how her family ignores to report this critical issue to police that not only affects her social wellbeing but her life remains on constant risk of being attacked or killed.
However, the role of police towards dealing with women, especially in sexual abuse and sexual harassment cases was also criticized as many police stations lack the representation of lady constables.
LCWU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Bushra Mirza said that helping the victims of sexual harassment or sexual abuse cases is a "perpetual charity". "By doing so, we not only protect one person but many others who could be attacked. Another aspect which we often ignore is that we don't try to reform those persons who are involved in such activities. I believe making them better person is the highest charity," she added.
Prominent human rights activist Dr Neelam Hussain talked about the suppression tactics of the governments and military dictators since the independence of Pakistan. She said the era of former military dictator General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was the toughest time in terms of raising voice for women rights.
"I and my several friends were put behind bars when we raised voice for the rights of women. We haven't got rights by simply requesting or asking, we all had paid heavy prices for that," Neelam recalled.
"Laws were always misused in our country and getting relief requires long-term struggle," she said while pointing out that nearly eight years have been passed but Junaid Hafeez, a former visiting lecturer at the Department of English Literature of the Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan, is still in jail and nothing was proven against him as yet.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Uzma Kardar said that there is nothing to feel happy as Pakistan stands at the 147th spot out of 150 in the United Nations Gender-Gap Index which shows least role of women at decision making positions. However, we have done a lot to improve this situation after coming into power, she added.
"Today we should pledge that we will move forward collectively for our rights and will support the needy ones no matter what may come," she asked the audience.
Superintendent of Police for Anti-Riot and Dolphin Force Ayesha Butt was of the opinion that young generation is now reaping the fruits of rights activists' efforts. "In the male dominant society, today I am heading the most important wing of the Lahore police. I am the first lady officer who is leading both the forces and it all happened due to the efforts of women activists who created awareness among the people," she added.
Sharing her family background, the SP said she belongs to a conservative family and their neighbors were unaware about her family members. "We have to strictly observe "dupatta" (scarf) and other restrictions. No one had the idea that one day a girl from such a home will be heading one of the most important wing of the Lahore police," Ayesha added.
Dispelling the notion that police officers are insensitive about the sexual harassment and sexual abuse cases, the senior police officer claimed that now CCTV cameras have been installed at almost all police stations and their monitoring is being ensured at the IG and CCPO office.
"Now an online complaint system has also been introduced through which any aggrieved person can directly lodge his/her complaint with the IG office. Their complaints are monitored there and cannot be dismissed until the aggrieved person gets relief," she claimed.
"In my five years of service, not a single woman has so far come to me for the registration of sexual harassment complaint. It is another fact that many women refrain themselves from doing so because if they do so their own families start doubting their character," she regretted.
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