Bridging the gap between policy, laws & practice key to lessen gender based violence: Mushaal Hussein Mullick

ISLAMABAD, August 29 (SABAH): Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Human Rights and Women Empowerment Mushaal Hussein Mullick has stressed the need for bridging the gap between women empowerment laws and practice for lessening the gender discrimination and violence against women in the society.

Mushaal Hussein Mullick was addressing National Conference of service providers on gender based violence here in Islamabad on Tuesday. Representatives of different stake holders participated in the conference and shared their valuable views on this occasion. Highlighting the deplorable condition of women of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir IIOJK, Special Assistant said that Indian armed forces had been committing heinous crimes especially against women in IIOJK for last seven decades. She said, rape is being used as a ferocious tool of weapon against Kashmiri women in order to demoralise them and suppress Kashmiris’s just cause for right to self-determination. Indian state authorities not only condone such condemnable acts but also encourage such nefarious crimes as a state policy, she added.

Mushaal Mullick said that being daughter of Kashmir she has true realization of state of women rights in IIOJK which led her decision to become powerful voice of Kashmiri women. She further said that she has also been advocating for rights of children and women in Pakistan for last many years. She expressed her satisfaction that a lot of progress has been made regarding women empowerment in terms of policy making and formulation of different laws, however narrowing the gap between policy and implementation is key to end gender based violence and discrimination in the society. She said there is need to create conducive environment for women where she can exercise her rights with free will. Underlining the importance of women participation in the fields of Judiciary and police she said that this participation will go a long way in providing a safe environment for those deprived women who were seeking justice against any act of violence and discrimination.

Special Assistant also encouraged electric and print media to come forward and play their pivotal role in creating awareness among masses and society for discouraging gender based violence and discrimination especially against women in the society.