Faisalabad: March 11, 2014. (PCP) On 6 March 2014, a conference entitled "Struggle for Women’s Rights: Challenges, Achievements and Opportunities" held at TMA Hall in Faisalabad, under the aegis of the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM). At this juncture, 15 women were awarded for their efforts in different fields towards women’s rights and empowerment despite legal, social, cultural, economic and political challenges. The awardees include; Sister Razia Channan, Khalida Rafique (Superintendent-Darul Aman), Amna Ehsan (Girl Guide Association), Razia Joseph (Director-Women Shelter Organization), Kanwal Shahzadi (Manager-Women Crisis Center), Noor-un-Nisa Malik (Former Parliamentarian-PPPP), Zaib-un-Nisa (Superintendent-District Jail), Hafiza Javeria (ARY News), Shahnaz Mehmood (SAMAA TV), Anjum Alam Shah (APWA) and five leaders of home-based workers namely; Amna Bano, Surraiya Waseer, Rafia Anjum, Shahida Fayyaz and Mussarat Jabeen. This conference was joined by more than 250 people. visually impaired singer Ms. Sadaf Saira, Ms. Roma Caroline and Mr.Imran Riaz sang inspirational and motivational folk songs. Speaking on the occasion, the district coordination officer, Ch. Mohammad Asif said, “The government needs to take concrete actions to institute solid mechanism for the proper implementation of the law protecting women rights.” “There is a need to organize awareness campaigns for the social acceptance of women as equal human being. The women should also come to the forefront in order to highlight their issues, and fight for their due rights,” he added. A women’s rights activist, Shazia George said, “The development of National Policy and Strategy on Ending Violence against Women and Girls, from prevention to rehabilitation phases, at the national, provincial and district levels is the need of the hour.” “The federal and provincial governments must enforce existing pro-women laws and approve pending pro-women legislation such as Domestic Violence Bill, Comprehensive Acid Violence Bill, Early and Forced Marriages Bill, Reproductive Health Rights Bill, Home-Based Women Workers Social Protection Bill,” she demanded. The director of the AWAM, Nazia Sardar said, “The government must prioritize the adoption of policy and preparation of a plan of action for the recognition of unregistered women workers engaged in informal sectors such as agriculture and domestic work, as part of labour force, and ratify ILO convention No. 177 on human-based workers and ILO Convention No. 189 on domestic workers, and ensure its proper implementation so as to guarantee women’s access to social security benefits.” The director of women shelter, Razia Joseph said, “The government must take strict measures to eliminate unconstitutional, illegal, unjust, traditional “adjudication” councils like ‘jirgas’ and ‘punchayats’, which are anti-females, and repeal the ‘Qisas’ and ‘Diyyat’ law, resulting in impunity in honour killings, through waiver and compromise.” The superintendent of Dar ul aman, Khalida Rafique said, “Many women leave their houses due to the abuses and violence against them, and prefer staying at shelter homes to avoid further exploitation. Discriminatory treatment towards women is a common practice in our society, therefore it should be proclaimed as a crime to protect women’s rights. The individuals and community must adopt positive behavior and attitude, and should give respect and support to female members in the family and society for the better future and progress of the country.” A senior trainer of Pakistan Girl Guide Association, Amna Ehsan said, “Girl Guide institutions provide trainings to empower the women, so that they could gain confidence, improve skills and defend their self respect. Women has a strong will power, therefore their opinion in all matters related to their lives must be regarded. Education is the most excellent source to empower women, so that they could excel in all spheres of life.” The manager of women crises center, Kanwal Shahzadi said, “Government institutions should play their key role to prevent criminal acts of violence against women. Women should take part not only in progress of the society, but also in campaigns to raise their voices for claiming rights.” A political activist, Noor-un-Nisa said, “It is the duty of parents not to neglect female child, instead provide the environment and opportunities to female and male children on equality basis, as literacy of the female children is a basic contribution toward education of the society.”