ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a webinar said the democratic governments have done ample legislation for protection of women rights but lack of its implementation deprived them of their lawful rights.

The webinar was organised by the Development Communications Network on. The guest speakers included senior journalist Fauzia Shahid, president PODA Sameena Nazir, Head of Women Development department of Islamic University Bahawalpur Dr Yasmin Roofi, Kinnaird College Lahore Professor Dr Kushboo Ejaz, National Press Club senior vice president Sadia Kamal, Dr. Nilofer Jamil from Quetta, Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed and senior journalists CR Shamsi, Anwar Iqbal and Ali Raza Alvi.

They said Pakistani women’s struggle for equal rights has continued over decades despite all odds and dictatorship.

Gender inequality underpins many problems which disproportionately affect women and girls, such as domestic and sexual violence, lower pay, lack of access to education and inadequate healthcare, they said.

The speakers said women suffered from pervasive gender-based violence, from domestic abuse, honour killings and sexual violence to institutional discrimination.

There is a widespread lack of consistent access to quality family planning services in Pakistan, resulting in one of the highest unmet needs in Asia.

Still women are denied the right to vote, inheritance, choice of spouse and economic engagement.

Fauzi Shahid said February 12 is commemorated to remember the brave struggle of the women for their rights launched in 1983 when the dictatorial regime promulgated legislation contrary to the women’s democratic and lawful rights.

Unfortunately the patriarchal thinking has continued over the years despite continuous struggle.

Now women have found some space but the destination of equal rights is still far away, she said.

Sameena Nazir said legislation is done but was not implemented.

“There is no adequate mechanism to educate the implementing agencies about the enforcement of law. The rural areas and marginalised communities still suffer in the absence of implementation and sanitisation of the agencies,” she said.

Munir Ahmed said some of the problems faced by women in Pakistan were domestic violence, honour killing, rape and abduction, marital rape, forced marriages, and induced abortions.

“The Global Gender Gap Index report of 2020 ranked Pakistan 151 out of the total 153 countries. This is ironic that women rights are compromised despite being ensured by Islam and the Constitution,” he said.

Shad Begum said the social and political environment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not conducive for women. It is very difficult to challenge the social taboos to raise the voice for women rights though we have ray of hope as the local women of the urban towns find their ways to the mainstream platforms. The majority still struggles for the basic human rights, she added

Dr Yasmin Roofi said what the women demand is not the western agenda but are the rights ensured in the religion and the constitutions.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2021