ABBOTTABAD, Sept 19: Islamic teachings should be followed for dispensing speedy justice to women, speakers at a workshop said on Monday. The workshop was organized in connection with the launch of a two-year national level pilot project on “Gender Justice through Musalihat Anjuman” by the NWFP government here at a local hotel.

Provincial minister for local bodies Sardar Muhammad Idrees said the government was taking necessary steps to uphold the dignity of women.

He said the government was endeavouring to give women their due in all walks of life and taking a lead by initiating projects designed to provide more security and safety to women.

Social worker Lt-Col (retd) Dr Shaheena Jamil emphasized that the chief causes of injustice with women must be sorted out. She held financial problem as the principal cause of their vulnerability.

She said women could fight in all areas but due to financial problems, they were forced to abide by all the right and wrong decisions taken by the male-dominated society.

Dr Jamil said that a nationwide awareness campaign should be launched so that women get a boost in their confidence level.

Secretary of Local Government NWFP Baz Muhammad Khan Khattak said the project had initially been launched with the help of UNDP and the Norwegian government in two districts which would subsequently be expanded to cover all the districts of the province.

He said the basic aim of the project was to assist women and other vulnerable section of society in improving their conditions through safeguarding and promoting their rights and lawful entitlements.

Mr Khattak said the other object was to build the capacity of Musalihat Anjuman for dispensing gender-responsive justice, to enhance public engagement with utilization of the services of this body and to promote women’s awareness of their legal rights and men’s active participation in order to end gender-based violence.