LAHORE: (Friday, November 30, 2012): Punjab University Department of Gender Studies in collaboration with SPO has organized a seminar on “Combating violence Through Awareness on Women’s Rights”. SPO Regional Director Salman Abid, Secretary Punjab Women’s Development Department Iram Bukhari, Focal Person SPO Bushra Ikhlaq and Assistant Prof Department of Gender Studies Dr Raana Malik were the speakers. The speakers highlighted the issue of violence against women in the contemporary socio-cultural settings of Pakistan. Ms. Irum said that Islam has given a very balanced and appropriate perspective on gender relations and gender roles. She said if we fully comprehend the spirit of Islam, the problem could be tackled down. She stated that the government had taken several steps to safeguard women from violence and enhance their empowerment at all levels. She said that “Women’s Empowerment Package” announced by Punjab government on March 8, 2012 showed its endorsement to women’s rights. Mr Salman Abid said that systematic and structural basis which condones violence should be addressed only then we could minimize this milieu from the society.

Ms Bushra Khaliq said that women needed to sensitize themselves about the issues and should take the lead to fight it at individual and community level. She said that civil society appreciated and celebrated the recent steps taken by the Punjab government regarding ending discrimination and violence against women but there was need to speed up the processes in the current political scenario.
 
Dr Raana Malik said that violence was needed to be condemned in its all forms and media could play a vital role in raising awareness against violent behaviors towards women in the society. She said taking into account the importance and increasing significance of media, the department had introduced a course on gender and media recently. She said students apart from their academic activities should get skills in using different venues to raise awareness about women’s rights. The seminar was closed with the open session questions. Students posed the questions regarding new laws legislated by the government and ratification of recent international convention on the torture.