Safety, tolerance & whole-hearted acceptance for women are sustenance for an egalitarian society: Raja Pervez Ashraf

ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (SABAH): Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf while stressing on the need for expressing empathy rather than sympathy towards women, stated, “safety, tolerance and whole-hearted acceptance for women are sustenance for an egalitarian society.” The intensity and magnitude of violence against women is increasing and taking new forms, as women around the world are unsafe at their homes, offices, formal & informal gatherings and especially during wars and conflicts. Women constitute half of the world population and deserve to live their lives without being victimized or subjected to any form of violence.

Pervez Ashraf expressed these views on Elimination of Violence Against Women Day. Speaker NA stated that the National Assembly of Pakistan has passed well-designed legislations for safety, security and betterment of women in Pakistan, namely, Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Amendment) Bill 2022, The Domestic Violence (Prevention & Protection) Bill, 2009, in addition women along with transgenders and children were invited to raise their voice on the floor of the National Assembly for the 1st time ever during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973. National Assembly of Pakistan believes in empowering women for which it also introduced Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to make women socially & economically independent.

Raja Pervez Ashraf expressed dismay over the brutality and violence being faced by Palestinian and Kashmiri Women at the hands of Israeli Occupation Forces and Indian State, respectively. Speaker NA further stated, “Fatal victimization of Palestinian & Kashmiri women should end at once.” Speaker NA further urged to ensure that women are not exposed to the brutalities of extra-judicial customs and to ensure that the laws enacted for protection of women are completely implemented in letter & spirit. Moreover, Speaker NA urged the International Community to not just ensure & aim for physical security for women but also to ensure that women have the basic right to enjoy peace of mind.