KOHAT, Jan 30: Speakers at a seminar on honour killings stressed the need for collective efforts by the government and civil society groups to create a secure environment for women.

The seminar, held on Monday under the auspices of the district social welfare department and Kohat Area Development Organisation, was attended by the heads of different NGOs and social welfare organisations.

Lawyer Musarat Shafi in her speech said a movement for the rights of women would have to be launched on a war footing to provide the fair sex their due status in society, as had been guaranteed by Islam.

She deplored the fact that while many men in this part of the country claimed to be better Muslims they continued to subject women to all sorts of discrimination and violence. “All this is against the teachings of the Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH),” Ms Shafi said.

District Social Welfare Officer Shazia Khattak told participants that an international NGO wanted to start work on gender issues and carry out development in Kohat. For this purpose a gathering of all social welfare organisations on one platform was imperative, she said.

Once there is proper coordination among local NGOs, she said, not only will many common goals be within reach but also funds will be utilised in a much better way.

Later the organisers formed a district alliance of all social welfare groups headed by Ms Khattak, Musarat Shafi, Ziaullah Khan, Rehana Malik, Saleem Altaf, Jehanzeb Jani, Waheed Gul Bangash and Manan Bangash.

On Jan 31, members of the alliance will represent local organisations in a meeting scheduled with an international NGO in Peshawar and finalise launching of its programme in the district. They will also chalk out their future course of action.—Correspondent