UHE collaborates with UNICEF on Awareness Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence

Lahore (Monday, November 25, 2024): Enforcing and implementing laws aimed at preventing violence against women is essential to curbing gender-based violence. Prof. Dr. Faleeha Zahra Kazmi expressed these views during the inaugural ceremony of an awareness campaign organized by the Women Development Center of Home Economics University in collaboration with UNICEF.

She emphasized that the university focuses on developing its students’ skills and abilities, equipping them with professional expertise in various fields.

Addressing the ceremony, U.S. Consul General Kristin Hawkins highlighted women’s critical role in Pakistan’s progress. She stated that the U.S. is running various programs to support women’s development in Pakistan and stressed the need to provide equal opportunities for women to advance.

Senior journalist Salman Abid remarked that women are making strides in diverse sectors, and female parliamentarians have played the most active role in legislating for women’s protection. He emphasized that women are an integral part of Pakistan’s society, and without their inclusion, societal progress is impossible.

UNICEF Punjab head, Sehar Raza Jafri, stated that to prevent violence, women must be provided protection under existing laws, and awareness about all forms of gender-based violence must be raised among the youth.

Professor Dr. Ra’ana Malik from Punjab University urged students to actively participate in the awareness campaign to play an effective role in preventing violence. She stressed the importance of women advancing in the field of education and highlighted the responsibility of parents to empower their daughters.

Senior journalist Dr. Huma Sadaf pointed out that gender-based attitudes towards women also constitute violence and that women must also fulfill their responsibilities to overcome these challenges.

The students presented a short play highlighting the importance of women’s education as part of the awareness campaign against violence.

The event was attended by Secretary of Women Development Usman Ali Khan, senior journalist Salman Ghani, Dr. Iram Rubab, Dr. Tayyaba Sohail, Ms. Laiba Butt, focal person along with a large number of faculty members and students.