December 7, 2016, Peshawar: The latest episode of Sabawoon, flagship radio program of Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), focused on violence against women and the importance of 16 days’ VAW activism campaign conducted by civil society organizations to end violence against women.
The key points of discussion included an overview of the prevailing situation of violence against women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), gender discrimination in Pashtun society, women’s rights in the constitution of Pakistan and Islam, psychological subjugation of women by men and lack of government’s response to resolve family disputes. The program also underlined the importance of education for women and awareness campaigns about the restraint of VAW.
The program was aired under the theme of Jwandai Jazbey (living spirits) on Wednesday. Ms. Nazra Syed, a female rights defender and Program Manager of Khwendo Kor (Sisters’ Home) Peshawar, participated as the studio guest in the show.
A radio report on the central themes of the program was made part of the program. The report shared the views of a women rights activist about the problems of women in the region and the VAW campaign to generate awareness.
Live Calls on the Show:
Three callers took part live in the program.
A caller Mr. Rizwan Ullah said: “In our society women are always neglected and are not given any role in the decision making process. We should give them due share in decision making process both at home and outside.”
Another caller, Mr. Mukamil Shah said: “Unfortunately FATA has more domestic violence and gender discrimination cases as compared to the other regions. We should sensitize public to promote gender equality and give proper rights to women in society.”
Ms. Nazra Syed, Program Manager Khwendo Kor Peshawar, said: “The 16-days campaign is launched by civil society to encourage gender equality, spread awareness about female rights both in constitution and Islam, and counter the violence against women. Unless government and civil society are on the same page, the goal of gender equality will not be achieved. Government should pass new legislations to defend women rights and properly implement the current laws so as to protect them from several kinds of violence in our society.”