President Asif Ali Zardari. Photo: PID
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have called on state institutions, civil society and society to step up collective efforts to end violence against women, stressing the need for not just stronger laws but their full implementation.
In his message to observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the President called on citizens to challenge discrimination, exclusion and silence, noting that meaningful change must start at home and in the workplace.
He said they stood in solidarity with the millions of women and girls around the world who continue to endure violence in multiple and devastating forms. Violence against women, he added, is not only wrong on a personal level, but also a profound violation of human rights, a barrier to human dignity and an obstacle to societal development.
“Empowering women and girls through education, building skills and securing economic independence is the foundation for ending the cycle of violence,” the Presidential Secretariat Wing quoted the president as saying.
“Legal framework, institutional support, awareness raising and cultural transformation are equally important to stop violence,” it added.
The President noted that this year’s theme “UNITE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls” invited them to expand their investment in prevention strategies, survival support mechanisms and systemic reforms.
This theme highlighted the urgent need to address the rise in violence against women and girls in the digital space, he said, adding that the campaign called on governments, technology companies and individuals to end digital violence.
He further noted that in the pursuit of a society where women could live free from fear and violence, the government had launched key initiatives including the Protection of Women from Harassment at Work (Amendment) Act 2022, the Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021 and the Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act 2020.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on citizens, including youth, social and religious leaders and teachers to unite against violence against women and work to eliminate it.
In his message, the Prime Minister emphasized that the country is raising its voice to the whole world to highlight this important issue, as this year’s theme is “Unite to end digital violence against women”.
