Women Community leaders call for greater political participation, mechanism to end violence against women
ISLAMABAD – South Asian countries cannot progress unless they include the marginalized and offer women equal status place in the leadership from local to the highest levels to attain peace in the region, says Kamla Bhasin from South Asian Network of Gender Activists and Trainers (SANGAT).
Speaking at the two-days Pre SAARC Regional Women Leaders conference opened on Wednesday, Ms Kamla called upon the SAARC leaders to devise a reporting and review mechanism to keep track of implementation on the SAARC Social Charter and to check violations of human rights. She said those who prevent our meetings by imposing visa restrictions themselves come frankly even diverting their aircraft and route to have a cup of tea in Lahore.
Earlier, Dr Noreen Khalid, head of program AAWAZ highlighted salient features of the two-day conference. She said the conference is being held to formulate recommendations for the upcoming SAARC Summit in Islamabad later this year so that South Asian women have a definite voice and effective role to play in matters related to their lives besides them being in leadership positions at all levels of society.
A large number of officials from the ministry of human rights, foreign office and relevant government departments, women parliamentarians five out of seven women ambassadors posted in Islamabad, civil society, development partners including AAWAZ partners, media and academia and human rights activists and grassroots women leaders attended the conference organised by AAWAZ programme, which is working actively in 45 districts of Pakistan on building capacities and creating opportunities, on increasing women’s political participation and leadership opportunities at all decision-making levels.
Naeem Mirza CEO Aurat Foundation demanded to repeal discriminatory laws and dis-functioning of unconstitutional parallel judicial system and bodies such as Shariat court and Council of Islamic Ideology; and jirgas and panchayats in line with the judgements of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Dr Sima Samar, Chairperson Independent Afghan Human Rights Commission who was the chief guest at the inaugural session highlighted the struggle of Afghan women against repression and called for promotion of women’s political participation and economic empowerment in South Asia societies where women are largely excluded.
Former Regional Head UNIFEM Ms Chandni Joshi called for ending violence against women and giving them equal opportunities as they have already exhibited their excellence and strengths in almost all spheres of life.
Former chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women in Pakistan, Khawar Mumtaz said the Commission has done a lot of research work on how to embed gender dimension in policies and plans. With more empowered commission, we can further highlight the issues around gender equalities and protection of women from all kinds of violence.
Farida Shaheed, Executive Director Shirkat Gah- Women’s Resource Centre said we need a feminist leadership to bring about change in the lives of women in the region. She said there are thousands of Malalas in Pakistan who have the courage and ability to be leaders. She lauded the role the grassroots and community level women leaders who have resisted the domestic violence, early marriages and police highhandedness and cases. She said women should be included in peace negotiations in conflicts so that they can take care of their rights.
Messages from the delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives were read out at the conference. Delegates from Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka narrated the great success sorties from the women’s movements that led to big chances from national, regional and global levels. The delegates reiterated demand for easy travel and visa facilitations across the South Asian countries.