Islamabad(saqib khattar)
National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), IslamabadPrime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Anwar-Ul-Haq Kakar has been stressed through a letter from the Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar about the recent incidents of domestic violence, sexual harassment in academic institution and on issues of protection of women at workplace.
For this purpose, a Charter of Demands have been drafted and the office of Chairperson has sent these demands to Prime Minister’s Office for perusal and implementation. Similarly, such letters have also been written to Federal Minister Interior, Federal Secretary Interior, Chief Secretary, Governors, Provincial Chief Ministers, Home Ministers, Inspector General of Police Islamabad, and Provincial IGs to implement charter of demands to curb the incidents of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women, girls, and transgender person.
The Chairperson NCSW convened a round table meeting with the heads of Civil Society Organizations and Gender Experts. The meeting was attended by the Secretary NCSW, Mr. Khawaja Imran Raza, former senator Ms. Seher Kamran, Mr. Shaukat Mukaddam, Ms. Farzana Bari, Ms. Valerie Khan, Mr. Babar Bashir, Mr. Shrafat Ali, Ms. Saba Gul Khattak, Ms. Saman Ahsan, Ms. Nageen Hayat, Ms. Nayab Ali, Mr. Naeem Mirza, Ms. Arifa Mazhar, Mr. Jahangir Jadoon, and Ms. Mardiya Sultana to draft a charter of demands to curb the incidents of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women, girls, and transgender person.
This urgent consultation was caused by the distressing trends encompasses instances of sexual harassment within academic institutions, sexual violence, and exploitation of child domestic labor. The NCSW vehemently denounces these violations of fundamental human rights. Addressing these cases robustly is crucial to holding wrongdoers accountable and establishing a precedent against such reprehensible behavior. To combat this distressing pandemic of sexual and gender-based violence, the NCSW has put forth a charter of demands to address these grave violations of human rights
The details of charter of demands, is as below:
1. The NCSW calls upon the State to consolidate its prior and ongoing efforts in safeguarding vulnerable groups. Swift and resolute measures are needed to eliminate violence and discrimination against all women, girls, and transgenders in line with constitutional guarantees and international commitments.
2. The NCSW further urges the State and all relevant institutions and duty-bearers at the federal and provincial levels to ensure protection of women, girls, and transgenders throughout the country by enforcing the existing legislation and adopting and implementing gender-sensitive policies that are women, child and transgender-centric.
3. The NCSW extends its full support to the National Commission on the Rights of the Child and Pakistani Civil Society – including experts on gender and child protection – for a joint call to ban domestic work of children under 16 years of age in all provinces, and to make Child Domestic Labour, a modern form of slavery, a non-bailable and non-compoundable criminal offense in the Pakistan Penal Code, with a fine and imprisonment corresponding to the nature of this heinous crime.
4. The NCSW strongly recommends that all educational institutions adhere to the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act and take relevant measures including the establishment of inquiry committees, awareness-raising in their institutions, displaying the Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Act at Workplace on their web-site as well as at prominent spots on campuses, and equipping female students with necessary skills and knowledge to report and take action against such incidents.
5. The restoration of Student Unions within universities and academic institutions is advised. Students Unions can safeguard the interests of students and hold academic institutions accountable when students’ rights are transgressed. They should also have representation in the Anti-sexual Harassment Inquiry Committees at educational institutions;
6. The NCSW calls upon the criminal justice system to end the prevailing culture of impunity regarding cases of gender-based violence. A prompt and efficient prosecution process coupled with speedy justice will serve as a powerful deterrent against GBV.
7. Transgender persons are citizens of Pakistan, entitled to inalienable and fundamental right to equality in front of the law, including the right to dignity and identity. In this regard, the NSCW demands NADRA to immediately cease discrimination upon transgender persons and promptly issue their ID cards so that they may also be registered as voters and be fully allowed to take part in the electoral process;
8. The NCSW exhorts the media to play a positive, ethical, and responsible role in highlighting these critical issues through their various platforms. By raising awareness and reshaping societal norms surrounding GBV, the media can contribute significantly to change.
The NCSW’s Charter of Demands presents a proactive strategy to combat the alarming escalation of sexual and gender-based violence. It underscores the urgency of collective action across multiple sectors to create a society that champions equality, respects human rights, and dismantles the deeply ingrained patterns of discrimination and violence.
