CHITRAL, Oct 7: Speakers at a media workshop on Sunday called for measures on the part of the government for ending gender-based violence, saying it is forcing more and more women in the district to commit suicide.

Legal Awareness Programme for Human Rights (LAPH) organised the workshop to sensitise journalists to the issue and ways to address it.

The speakers apprised participants of different manifestations of gender-based violence and said women in the district were vulnerable to violence at home, workplace and educational institutions.

They urged the government to ensure protection of women against violence in society for their better development.

According to them, studies have established it that most women committing suicide in the district are victims of gender-based violence and that they end life after finding no place of consolation and help against tormentors.

The speakers proposed establishment of a crisis cell in the district for the help and support of the victims of gender-based violence.

Former IUCN project manager Dr Inayatullah Faizi, who was in the chair, suggested wasy and means to contain violence in society, especially the one based on gender.

LAPH chairman Niaz Ali Shah, who was also in attendance, said his organisation was creating public awareness of human rights in Chitral with a special focus on women’s development.

He said special committees were being formed at union council levels to monitor and control gender-based violence.