ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: Adviser to Prime Minister on Women Development Nilofar Bakhtiar on Sunday said the government would soon introduce a law regarding domestic violence. She was speaking at a press conference held in connection with “Inter-Regional Conference on Violence Against Women” scheduled for September 7 and 8.

Ms Bakhtiar said participants of the two-day conference would discuss a wide range of issues being confronted by women of the region. The opening session of the conference will be chaired by President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

The adviser said a review of discriminatory legislation in regional countries, domestic violence and adoption of best practices were some of the issues which would come up for discussion during the conference.

For any attempt to deal with the issues of violence, it is critical to understand and recognize the structures and forms of violence against women, she added.

Apart from Saarc member countries, the conference will also be attended by the representatives of countries like Jordan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sweden, the US, Canada and Australia. In total 65 delegates from 25 countries will be participating in the conference.

The adviser said extensive media and public awareness on women rights had played a key role in changing the mindset towards women rights at governments’ level.

She said media’s role was vital in controlling all kinds of violence against women.

In response to a question, she said we had also invited Dr Shazia Khalid, a rape victim from Balochistan currently living in the UK; and Mukhtar Mai as well. However, now it depends upon them whether they attend the conference or not.

At the end of the two conference, a joint declaration will be announced to fight the menace of violence against women, she said.