Punjab Study

LAHORE:June 09: A seminar on ‘Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Criminal Law Amendment) 2009 and the Prevalence of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2011’ was conducted by Women Institute for Leadership and Learning (WILL) and Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) in collaboration with Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO), at LCWU on Friday.
Punjab Women Development Department Secretary Irum Bukhari was the chief guest of the event, whereas WISE Executive Director Bushra Khaliq, Aurat Foundation Programme Manager Mumtaz Mughal, WILL Director Prof Dr Sarah Shahed, SPO Regional Head Salman Abid, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Salman Abid said that the role of society and educational institutes was very important in strengthening women. He said that the support structures in society needed to be strengthened in order to eliminate discrimination against women.
Addressing the students, LHC advocate Hina Hafeez talked about the laws and amendments that had been made in 509 PPC. She also appreciated the government’s efforts for introducing the Anti-Women Practice Bill and Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Criminal Law Amendment) 2009.
Speaking on the occasion, Bushra Khaliq discussed the role and efforts of civil society in their struggle for approval of Sexual Harassment Bill. She emphasised on individual steps that need to be taken on part of the students, especially girls, in order to stop sexual harassment.
Mumtaz Mughal pointed out that despite all efforts made by government, cases of violence against women were still increasing day by day. There was a need to start an awareness campaign against sexual harassment and the government should give priority to laws that check and control women discrimination.
Humanity and Arts dean as well as faculty and LCWU Institute of Language and Culture Director Prof Naushaba Farooq enlightened the participants about the initiatives taken by the university to shun sexual harassment. She said that a committee had been formed in order to prevent and deal with sexual harassment cases in LCWU.
Irum Bukhari highlighted the work done by Women Development Department pertaining to women rights. She said that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had announced a comprehensive women empowerment package that corroborates the government’s firm commitment to address the social and economic rights of women who make up half of the population of Punjab.Daily Times.