PAKISTAN: Muhammadan Women Welfare Society wins Betty Makoni Award 2005 (9 December 2005)

Summary: The Muhammadan Women Welfare Society has won the Betty Makoni Prize (US$500) for the year 2005 on account of the social and cultural activities which they carried out on the 19th November, 2004 (The World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse) to convey the message of the day to the general public. This annual award was given by WWSF Women's World Summit Foundation, Switzerland.

To mark the World Day, the Muhammadan Women Welfare Society first created a special committee consisting of 10 members to prepare 19 November activities:

1. Invitations were sent to a large number of professors, teachers, lawyers, doctors, psychologists, political and social workers as well as parents.
2. About 5000 leaflets were distributed and delivered door to door to the general public.
3. 45 large size banners inviting people to mark the Day were placed in many streets.
4. WWSF global posters were posted in the city and on the walls of the Muhammadan Women Welfare Society.
5. Religious centers were visited to raise awareness of the need for prevention of child abuse.

On 19 November, special activities included:

1. Awareness walks with children and parents carrying banners and flags with messages on prevention of child abuse. About 800 people participated.
2. Speeches by political and social leaders addressing child rights and child abuse.
3. Visits of Educational Centers (11) with psychologists, educational experts and legal advisers delivering lectures and highlighting the need for prevention of child abuse. About 12’000 persons, including teachers, students and parents participated.
4. Cultural activities including drama, music and debates on prevention of child abuse.

400 people participated. In addition, 500 participants signed a large banner placed at the Muhammadan Women Welfare Society head office in support of prevention of child abuse. The Day was publicized in several local and national newspapers and broadcasted on TV.