ISLAMABAD, June 14: Violence against women in Pakistan is an expression of patriarchy and a manifestation of asymmetrical power relationship between women and men.

This was observed by speakers at the launching ceremony of 'Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW)', a three-year project co- funded by Oxfam GB, an international NGO, and European Union here at a local hotel on Monday.

The speakers were of the view that the so-called societal tendencies were the basic reason behind violence against women in the country which could only be checked by creating awareness among people about this menace.

They said with countrywide programme activities, women would feel that there was an enabling environment to report and address situations of violence. These changes would mean an overall change in attitude and behaviour of the society on issues of violence against women.

In her welcome speech, country director Oxfam GB Farhana Farooq Stocker said in Pakistan women lived in a hostile legal and policy environment in the presence of laws such as Hudood ordinances. Besides, they also had to face the prevalent customary laws and practices entrenched in the ideology of patriarchy.

She said the actual practice and fear of violence was a key factor preventing millions of Pakistani women from realizing their basic human rights to a life of dignity, exercizing social and economic rights, accessing opportunities for personal and professional growth and real participation in national and local politics.