President Asif Ali Zardari. Photo: PID
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have urged state institutions, civil society and communities to step up collective efforts to end violence against women, emphasizing the need not only for stronger laws but also their full implementation.
In his message to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the President urged citizens to fight discrimination, exclusion and silence, stressing that meaningful change must start at home and in the workplace.
He said they stand in solidarity with millions of women and girls around the world who continue to experience violence in multiple and devastating forms. Violence against women, he added, is not only an injustice at the personal level, but also constitutes a profound violation of human rights, an obstacle to human dignity and an obstacle to the development of society.
“Empowering women and girls through education, building skills and ensuring financial independence is essential to ending the cycle of violence,” the President said, as quoted by the Presidential Secretariat.
“Legal frameworks, institutional support, awareness-raising and cultural transformation are equally important to end violence,” he adds.
The President observed that this year’s theme “UNITE to end digital violence against all women and girls” called on them to increase their investment in preventive strategies, support mechanisms for survivors and systemic reform.
This theme highlighted the urgent need to combat the rise in violence against women and girls in the digital domain, he said, adding that the campaign called for action by governments, technology companies and individuals to end digital violence.
He further noted that in the quest for a society where women could live free from fear and violence, the government had taken key initiatives including the Protection from Harassment of Women at Workplace (Amendment) Act, 2022, the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021 and the Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act, 2020.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged citizens, especially youth, social and religious leaders and teachers, to unite against violence against women and work towards its elimination.
In his message, the Prime Minister highlighted that the country is raising its voice to the world to highlight this important cause, this year’s theme being “United to end digital violence against women”.
