On 9th of December 2023, Punjab University Department of Gender Studies in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Rights, Government of Pakistan organized an awareness and sensitization seminar on the topic UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Gender Equality and awareness to end violence against women at Al Raazi Hall Punjab University Lahore. On this occasion, Chairperson, Department of the Gender Studies Prof Dr. Raana Malik, Director of Human Rights Pakistan, Ms. Lubna Mansoor, Irshad Waheed from Punjab Women Protection Authority, Fr. James Channan OP Director Peace Centre Lahore, Ahsan Nawaz from Ministry of Human Rights, Dr Ahsan Nawaz, Dr Fauzia Saleem Alvi participated as Guest of Honor by the Department of Gender Studies Punjab University.  With the faculty members of Punjab University more than 300 students were present in this awareness and sensitization session.

Dr. Raana Malik welcomed the participants and shed light on the theme of International Human Rights Day this year “Freedom, Equality and Justice for All''. She stressed the need to give respect to women. She focused on the role of youth as agents of change in the society and asked students to play their positive role.
Fr. James Channan OP talked about “Gender Balance: Prevent Violence against Women and Girls” and inter-faith harmony among the religions in Pakistan. He shared that each individual has equal rights irrespective of his / her religion. He said that Peace Center Lahore is promoting peace and inter-faith harmony among the religions and in Pakistan we have strong network of promoters of Peace from different religions in Pakistan. Youth can play a vital role to promote peace and interfaith harmony among the religions. said the most important thing for interfaith harmony was mutual respect between religious denominations and the acceptance of others. They further stated that interfaith harmony should be included in education curriculum nationwide. He also said that nobody should abandon their religion and beliefs, nor should they attack the religion and beliefs of others.

Through our positive actions we can create a peaceful society where everybody can live with their fundamental rights.

Ms. Lubna Mansoor talked about the importance of Human rights and how violence against women is the biggest violation of any human’s right. Ahsan Nawaz enlightened the audience about the existing rights and how a common person can get benefit to know about their rights. He gave details on the recent legislations and initiatives by the Govt, of Pakistan to provide safety and justice to women and other vulnerable groups in the country like Zainab Alert App, Helpline 1099 etc.

Mr. Irshad Waheed said that giving women’s rights is important for a successful society. He stressed the need to analyses why in the presence of so many pro-women legislations, the status of women in the country is still miserable. He stressed the young students to come forward and participate in the development of the country. Later, the guests were presented with souvenirs.
    

Reported by:
Asher Nazir
Executive Secretary
Peace Center