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Islamabad, January 11, 2013 (PPI-OT): Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Faisal Karim Kundi has said that the efforts to curb extremism cannot be successful in the long term without women’s participation as they play a vital role in averting violence, resolving conflict and helping rebuild societies.
While addressing a one day National Women Peace Conference here today the Deputy Speaker highlighted the aim of the conference to provide opportunities to different stakeholders and engage in a wide-ranging discussion on practical links between peace, women leadership and gender equality and to turn words into action.
Mr. Kundi said that the incumbent government is fully aware of the plight of the women in strife torn areas and the need for restraining extremism as women end up suffering the most due to this menace.
The conference organized by the PAIMAN Alumni Trust was also addressed by Ms. Shehnaz Wazir Ali Advisor to PM on Social Issues while Ms. Ammara Durrani, Country Director, Search for Common Group (SFCG) moderated at the third session of the conference.
Deputy Speaker appreciated the endeavour of PAIMAN and underscored the importance of inclusion of women in decision making regarding reconstruction. He drew attention to the policy and steps taken by his party and government to allow women their due share in the political process and empower them in socio-political sphere, “Preventing conflict, negotiating peace and governing effectively are the key ingredients to reducing extremism and crisis”. He hoped that the all stakeholders will share experience, challenges and perspectives of violence against women and their role in curbing extremism.
In her address, Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali said that Pakistani women are creative, courageous leaders who are striving to alter their country’s dangerous trajectory and rebuild lives shattered in the wake of extremism.
Lauding the efforts of PAIMAN Trust in highlighting the important issue and converging all stakeholders under one roof, she said that government policy is crystal clear and it firmly believes in unambiguous inclusion of women in the political process and the same is manifested in the political career of Benazir Bhutto and a significant stake of women in the ruling party.
Ms. Ammara Durrani shared recommendations developed by Amn-o-Nisa. Key recommendations for government of Pakistan, civil society were given at the end of the seminar.
All speakers stressed on the elaboration of civil society and the government to address this menace of extremism collectively at all levels.
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