Fiza Batool Gilani condemns Sheikhupura girl’s assault by landlord

Islamabad: Syeda Fiza Batool Gilani, Honorary Goodwill Ambassador for Women Empowerment, has strongly condemned the sexual assault of a girl at the hands of a landlord at Sheikhupura. The said girl had committed suicide after the assault. The Goodwill Ambassador said that police should take immediate action and arrest the culprit.

While taking strong exception of the incident, Fiza Gilani said that such incidents fly in the face of women rights, which are inseparable from human rights. She said that present democratic dispensation has passed pro-women laws for the protection and promotion of women rights and those will go a long way in upgrading the status of women in society.

However, changing the mindset of men is also fundamental for bringing about positive and healthy social change so that women are treated with dignity and respect, she added.

The Goodwill Ambassador said that it is necessary that an awareness campaign is initiated by engaging all stake-holders to familiarize women with the latest pro-women laws passed by parliament. She pointed out that “Prevention of anti-Women Practices Act, 2008” and “Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act, 2010”, have made brutal customs like Vani and Swara and heinous crimes like acid-throwing to disfigure human organs punishable offenses, involving heavy penalties and long jail terms. It is about time that the victims of violence stepped forward and made full use of these enactments, she urged.

The Goodwill Ambassador said that violence against women is abominable and that it not only hinders their progress but also the progress of the state, she concluded.

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