December 1, 2013
Peshawar: A dialogue was held in
Frontier Regions of FATA titled: Role of CSOs in ending Gender Based Violence
in FATA. This dialogue was organized by Society for Rights and Development with
collaboration of FRs Civil Society Network and SPO jointly. A large number of
people participated in dialogue and discussed almost all aspects and reasons of
GBV and role of CSOs in FATA. Zar Ali Khan Afridi the Executive Director of
Society for Rights and Development welcomed the participants including
representatives of civil society organizations and people from almost all
segments of society who came and attended this important dialogue. He said that
about 16 laws related to women and their rights have been passed by assembly
but no law has been yet extended to FATA. This shows apathy on the part of our
legislators sitting in both houses of the parliament of the country. CSOs
should come forward to work for the extension of the laws related to women
rights and their security and protection. Engineer Tor Gul Chamkani a well known
tribal leaders and an expert on the tribal affairs said to the participants
that until Article 247 of the constitution of Pakistan is amended and all
powers of President is handed over to the parliament about FATA our situations
will be further deteriorated and I see no improvement so for. This is the
responsibility of all those intellectuals, civil society organizations,
lawyers, teachers, students and above all social and political activists to
work hard to end this discrimination by forcing the democratic set up of the
country. Women rights are human rights and we all know that population of FATA
increases more than 10 million and half is of women who have been totally
neglected and marginalized. This is an injustice. We have to recognize women
rights. This is 21st century and we all should rise our voice in
this regard. Malik Luqman Afridi a social and political figure of FATA
addressed participants saying that people of FATA have not yet been recognized
as human being yet. Even males are deprived of the rights. Women related laws
are necessary to be extended to FATA but it needs more and more work and
struggle. Remember that rights are not given so easily. They are to be
snatched, he elaborated. Engineer Shahi Khan Sherani an ex candidate of ANP
from NA-47 said to the participants that organizing such dialogues and programs
are really beneficial for the people in general and women in particular. If
civil society and CSOs get united then we assure you that we all then can end
this menace which is called violence against women. Our area is very backward
and FATA still needs more and more reforms. We demand that all laws related to
women should be ordered to be extended to FATA like other parts of the country.
Zar Ali Khan Afrid thanked participants and said that such dialogues and
seminars would be held in future also to get people educated about ending
violence against women and to bring civil society organizations at a single
plate form and work jointly and collectively to end this menace.
Regards
Zar Ali Khan Afridi, 0301-5963337
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