NOWSHERA, April 30: Girls taking part in an inter-college declamation contest on Sunday condemned the custom of honour killing and said that no religion sanctioned killing in the name of honour. The contest was jointly organised by the district alliance and Oxfam at the Government Girls Degree College in Nowshera Cantt.

Students from different colleges in the district took part in the contest and spoke on honour killing and violence against women.

The principal of the college, Shahida Shamim, said that women should raise their voice for social justice. “Our society should actively campaign for an end to gender discrimination and give equal rights to both men and women,” said Ms Shamim.

Terming honour killing an “un-Islamic and immoral practice”, Ms Shamim said that Islam did not permit this inhuman act and called upon civil society representatives to fulfil their responsibilities in this regard.

The contestants highlighted issues confronting women in the society. In the competition, Sofia Maryam, Rahit Gul, Rabia, Toosia, Ayesha, Rabia Hussain, Sumaira Kunwal, Ayesha Bibi and Nayyab Gul were rewarded for their oratorical skills.