SADIQABAD - Speakers at a workshop organised under the aegis of USAID and Aurat Foundation here said that gender discrimination could not be prevented until the legislators in the national and provincial assemblies abide by the law regarding women’s empowerment.
Addressing the seminar held at the District Press Club of Rahim Yar Khan, Human Rights Forum Chairman Hassan Nawaz Niazi Advocate said that almost every legislator belongs to a Chaudhry, Makhdoom and other such families. Therefore, he added, the lawmakers violate the law passed by themselves against the practices like Vani and Karo Kari etc as the perpetrators belong to their constituencies. He suggested that the media could stop human rights violations by playing a key role in prevention of gender discrimination in the country.
On the occasion, Abdul Khaliq Shakir said that there is a difference between our words and deeds, adding that people are used to conveying pious ideas to others but they themselves do not act upon such ideas. Similarly, he observed, the world peace champions who make international laws and raise their voices against gender discrimination, are bombarding in Afghanistan, Iraq and conducting drone attacks in Pakistan, and violating their own laws. He was of the view that the whole system could be changed by making mending our ways at individual level.
Saba Waheed stressed the need for following human rights in the society. Later, programme organiser Umar Ali Khan Baloch thanked the media and said that reporting should base on reality and facts. he was of the view that ground realities as well as economic and religious aspects should also be kept in mind to avoid clash due to reporting, he added.
Later, the district journalists were divided into four groups representing their respective tehsils to discuss the media role in elimination of gender discrimination, brevity and comprehension in news items and investigative reporting. Then journalists’ four groups led by Fiaz Mehmood, Rana Muhammad Afzal, Akhtar Shaheen and Imran Maqsood presented suggestions regarding elimination of gender differences.
The media workshop was also attended by MNA Javed Iqbal Warraich who appreciated the activities. The lawmaker also expressed the hope that the media persons would go on playing a key role in solving social problems including women’s empowerment through their responsible reporting. At the conclusion of the workshop, the organiser arranged a luncheon in honour of the participants.