FAISALABAD: Pakistan is the sixth most unsafe country for women and majority of the women facing domestic violence belong to underprivileged families.

These views were expressed at an interactive session held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Wednesday.

Darul Aman Faisalabad in-charge Sufia Rizwan said 90 per cent of the violence against women was being reported from uneducated families. She said domestic violence and denial of education to women must be eliminated.

She also said it was unfortunate that Islam’s golden principals were not being implemented and the situation was multiplying social and others problems.

UAF Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Dr Mahmood Ahmad said a Thompson Reuters Foundation survey ranked Pakistan as the sixth most unsafe country for women. He said several reports surfaced last year regarding women and girls facing domestic violence and honour killings. He also said that lack of education and awareness were the main hindrance to improving the situation.

Assistant Commissioner Zoha Shakir said women’s empowerment was a key phenomenon for bringing sustainable socio-economic progress in any country. In a male-dominated society, it is a need of the hour to create awareness among the masses to provide an equal opportunity to women for health, education and human rights.

Dr Nabila Malick from UN Punjab office said: “If we are to fight discrimination and injustice against women, we must start by initiating change in our homes.”

Sociology Chairperson Dr Saira Akhtar called for equipping women with modern education to face various challenges. She said education, health and basic rights were the base of development in any society.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Zahida Chaudhry said the police was taking all possible steps to ensure the provision of rights to women. She said women needed to stand for their rights.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2019