KARACHI, March 16: Sindh Minister for Women Development Dr Saeeda Malik on Wednesday called for launching a collective social movement, against gender-based discrimination and violence against women, in addition to the promulgation of relevant laws, government’s efforts towards achieving the goal and holding of seminars, workshops, etc.

“Promulgation of laws and adoption of bills in assemblies, besides seminars, workshops and ministers’ speeches can do a little in this regard,” she remarked, “what is needed is the launching of a collective social movement.”

The minister was speaking at the concluding session of the three-day workshop for journalists on domestic violence which was organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) at its Vicky Zeitlin Media Library. It was attended by media coordinators and correspondents from various districts of Sindh.

Dr Malik cited poverty, low literacy rate and other socio-economic factors responsible for growing incidents of domestic violence, gender discrimination and abuse of women’s rights, stressing on preparing “an army of women equipped with techniques and knowledge of how to help the oppressed women in rural areas of Sindh.”

Lauding PPF’s efforts in creating awareness among rural population through such events, she said awareness was key to success in getting the gender-based discrimination eliminated. “Journalists have to play their crucial role in this regard,” she said.

Highlighting the measures taken by her ministry for prevention of violence against women, she said six committees had been formed to deal with the issues facing women, besides establishment of a women complaint cell at the women police station in Karachi to enable women lodge their complaints easily.

The minister was of the view that several laws, including the Hudood Ordinance, needed amendments. She also called for changing the society’s mindset in order to bring an end to the gender-based discrimination and violence against women. “Basically, it is poverty and illiteracy due to which parents are more inclined to have male child than female.”

She stressed that parents should not hesitate in sending their daughters to the institutions having co-education system. Studying with male students would help female students gain immense confidence and courage that is vital to face challenges in society and live a balanced life, according to her.

Earlier, PPF Secretary-General Mr Fazl Qureshi explained in detail the aims and objectives of holding such workshops, saying the current one was the first of a series of seven workshops being held for journalists in various districts of the province.

He said that the Foundation was working for imparting training to journalists in rural areas, with more emphasis on women journalists and writers. The PPF, he added, encouraged these journalists to write on the issues related to their respective areas and also helped them get their articles published.

The discussion at the workshop was followed by a question-answer session. — PPI