Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: Civil society organisations and social workers
can play an important role to curb violence
against women and to curb violence and
exploitation through concerted efforts. Civil society organisations and social workers can play an important role in
raising awareness among women and to curb violence and exploitation
through concerted efforts. This was stated at a Consultation Workshop for
Empowerment and Awareness of Women organized by Working Women
Support Center, a window project of Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal
Aid (LHRLA) in collaboration with APWA. The program was attended by a
large gathering of community workers and social service providers
representing different NGOs and CBOs.
Advocate Zia Ahmed Awan, President Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal
Aid opined that community workers can play avital role in the uplift of
society because they are in direct contact with the victims of abuse and
they have a better understanding of the issues related to violence against
children and women. They can play their role in society by raising their
voice against exploitation of women and children at all levels. Mr. Awan
stressed the need to resolve issues such as domestic violence,
harassment of women in the work place and problems faced by women
while commuting from home to work place and vice versa.
Mr. Muhammad Ali, in charge of the missing children desk, informed the
participants about the working of Madadgaar Helpline, a joint venture of
LHRLA and UNICEF, which was launched in 18 towns of Karachi four years
ago to cater for women and children victims of abuse.
Mrs. Rashida Khan, in charge of Madadgaar Helpline, deliberated her views
regarding the effects of Domestic Violence on Women. She was of the view
that due to severe mental and physical torture such women became
unable to retain balance between their home and workplace. This
ultimately leads to a distressed marital life.
A documentary film titled “Individual Independence to Collective
Independence” was screened. The main theme of the documentary
revolves around the day to day problems faced by women. Ms. Uroos
Saher, Project Coordinator Working Women Support Centre, quoted that
the centre is working for the empowerment of working women. The Centre
has developed an Awareness kit regarding the rights of working women
and a guide book to form a labor union in order to attain their rights.
On this occasion a Docu-drama “Adhouray Khawab” was screened. The
docu-drama was based on the real story of a victim of Domestic Violence.
In the end the participants urged the concerned authorities to take steps
for the betterment of the working conditions for women, and against their
exploitation in the work place.
For more information, contact:
Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA)
D-1, Ist Floor Court View Apartment Court View
Road Opp. Sindh Assembly Building Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: + 92 5685824; + 92 111-911-922
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Web site: www.madadgaar.org / www.lhrla.com