KARACHI, May 21: Former prime minister and People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto has expressed concern over discrimination against women in many Muslim societies and called for measures to break the shackles of this bias. She was addressing the opening session of a Women Business Conference in Damascus on Saturday, which was organized by the First Lady of Syria Madam Basharul Asad.

Ms Bhutto said it was ironic that in the most Muslim societies, women faced discrimination in one form or another and stressed the need for standing up to this discrimination. “It is a gender bias dictated by tradition,” she said.

She referred to measures she had taken as prime minister to break the shackles of discrimination against women. She also referred to lifting of ban on women taking part in sport events.

“I see great progress looming as the forces that shape the new century and the new millennium comes together around the world. It is a confluence of ideology that must shape a world free from gender exploitation, free from poverty, hunger and disease,” she said.

She said: “In the new global community, none of us can be free if some of us are enslaved. We are not free if children cannot read, for a child who cannot read has no future,” she said.

Ms Bhutto said Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) condemned the killing of the girl child practiced in pagan times. The killing of the girl child was a symbol of violence against women. “Violence is wrong. Yet violence against women continues in different ways. It continues through honour killings and genital mutilation as well as domestic violence and sexual assault.”

She said: “Education is the first step to success and independence as well as a satisfying life enabling a person to lead a stimulating, interesting and instructive life.”