Regional Dialogue on Effective implementation of Pro women Laws and Support Mechanisms District Skardu, Gilgit Baltisistan,
Strengthening ParticipatoryOrganisation (SPO) organized second regional dialogue with facilitation of GEP partner NAWADO on Effective implementation of Pro women Laws and Support Mechanisms.Mr. Fida Muhammad Nashad, Speaker GB Legislative Assembly, Mr. Ashraf Sada, member GB council, Mr. Imran Nadeem, member Legislative Assembly GB, Mr. Qasim Naseem, senior Journalist and representative from PTV News, Mr. Hassan Jahangir, general secretary DBA Skardu and Ms. Shazia Shaheen, Senior Gender Specialist-SPO were the prominent speakers of the event.The dialogue attended by almost 09 women and 42 men from various, civil society organizations, media, lawyers, DBA members & parliamentarian etc. Total 51 participants attended the dialogue.
The purpose of the event was to highlight the pro women legislation through improved women’s access to justice at all levels with key stakeholders from District Bar Councils, Social Welfare Departments, social activists/ general opinion makers, local politicians (MNA’s), media opinion makersetc.
Miss. Suriya Muni Project Coordinator NAWADO, highlighted ‘Gender Equity Program’ and shared details and core objectives of the project, Women access to justice; combating gender based violence, harassment at workplace and public domain, and capacity building of institutions that advocate gender equity. She further explained that by now we have total 49 registered cases of women, out of which 20 cases are dealing with inheritance, 05 cases of maintenance, 05 cases of correction of DOB and 09 cases are relevant to family matters.
Mr. Hassan Jahangir General Secretary District bar Skardu said that to prevent violence against women, several national and international treaties and commitments have been agreed upon, now this is the time to implement them in their full letter and spirit. He further pointed out that there is no shelter home for deprived women in Gilgit andBaltistan. There is no specific bar rooms for female lawyers at DBA Skardu. He said that laws related to women’s rights are not extended in Gilgit Baltistan. He requested Mr. Fida M. Nashad, Speaker GB legislative assembly , chief guest of the regional dialogue to raise these issues at GBLA. Speaker, GBLA.
Mr. Fida M. Nashad, Speaker GB legislative assembly said that we are trying to pave the way for future women legislators to contribute meaningfully towards the development of GB’s women. He further elaborated that we believe in sharia and according to that that men and women are to be treated equally , and thus women should be given every right described in Quran such as their right to inheritance, the right to choose their own partners in marriages, the right to work and the right to vote. The GB Assembly passed two bills, one deals with protection against sexual harassment of women at the workplace and another on safeguarding child rights. Both bills were introduced by women legislators. He said that anti-sexual harassment Ac t 2010 has also been adopted from the National Assembly’s Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010. In the last he urged the lawers and Bar association to propose such laws to safe guard women’s rights and we will surely extend our support and make them approved by the assembly.
Mr. Qasim Naseem Senior Journalist recommends that gender sensitization workshops and refresher courses should be organized for journalists so that they could also report on VAW cases in more sensitized way
Conclusion:
Following action points were shared and endorsed by the legislators, media personnel and members of BAR Association of Skardu:
The Government should establish a shelter home for the homeless and destitute women who are victims of domestic and societal injustices and empowers them to take the path of socio-economic independence in Gilgit Baltistan;
The Government should set up the Child Protection Centres to rehabilitate deprived and homeless children for their betterment and protection in safe hands instead of putting their lives in danger.
The Govt. should ensure facilitation and support for the provision of Women Friendly Spaces (WFSs) in the premises of all district courts and especially in the premises of family court of GB
The Govt. should set up a separate model police stations that deliver effective, accountable security and justice services to women survivors
The Govt. should ensure protection to women against harassment at their workplace by establishing grievance committees, under “Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010” in all public and private organizations/ institutions and also appoint a provincial ombudsperson.