ISLAMABAD: The White Ribbon Campaign and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) launched their 16 Days of Activism campaign against violence against women on Thursday, with the theme ‘No to Silence – No to Violence’, on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Speakers at the launch said that one in every five women experiences gender-based violence in Pakistan, which contributes to Pakistan’s low ranking in the global gender gap index. They called for behavioural changes among men, and said that men must take greater responsibility to become part of the solution.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is marked on Nov 25th to show support and solidarity with women suffering various kinds of violence. The 16 Days of Activism begin on Nov 25, and end on Dec 10, International Human Rights Day.

The launch was also attended by Ahsan Khan, an actor who has joined the campaign and expressed support for the cause on social media. He said that the engagement of men in the campaign is vital to its success, and appreciated that more and more television shows have subjects that would have been considered taboos a few years ago. “Unless and until we start discussing such issues, we will not be able to find solutions,” he said.

Speaking at the launch, NCSW Chairperson Khawar Mumtaz said the 16 days of activism do not mean the issue can be ignored the rest of the time. “There are 15 or 16 laws addressing violence against women and children, we people still need to be made aware of these laws. Victims and law enforcement agencies need to be made aware that laws have been promulgated for their protection,” she added.

She said the commission’s basic concern is to raise awareness in all sections and at all levels of society, which is why it has joined White Ribbon in spreading awareness of pro-women legislation.

Ms Mumtaz said domestic violence used to be considered a private matter, and it took 25 to 30 years to make people understand it was not a private matter because it “that violence transfers into society”. “There is still a need to change society’s mindset, and men and women will have to work together for that.”

White Ribbon chief executive Omer Aftab said Ahsan Khan has been made the brand ambassador this year’s White Ribbon Campaign. “Engaging men and boys is a major tool to eradicate violence against women and girls and we, along with Ahsan, will visit educational institutes to create awareness among young boys and girls,” he said.

Mr Aftab added that the government has introduced several good pro-women laws that women are not aware of. He said women need to be made aware of their legal rights, and urged parents to prevent their children from witnessing violence at home.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2016