Faisalabad: March 11, 2014. (PCP) The government must approve new laws against undefined crimes in Pakistan particularly; legislation against domestic violence and violence perpetuated by the state machinery to make these acts punishable offence. This was demanded by the participants of a Protest Rally under ‘White Ribbon Campaign’ held in front of Press Club in Faisalabad on March 6, 2014. The rally entitled ‘Time for Action to End Violence against Women’ to mark international women’s day was staged by the Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation), Association of Women for Awareness & Motivation (AWAM) and Adara Samaji Behbood (ASB). Speaking on this occasion, the director of the PHD Foundation, Suneel Malik said, “The white ribbon campaign aimed at engaging men to pledge their allegiance to eradication of violence against women in every possible form. By wearing the white ribbon, it is a reassurance that one must never to commit, never to excuse, and never to remain silent about violence against women.” “Violence is a gross violation of human rights, but regrettably there is a general acceptance of gender-based violence, therefore the majority of people do not recognize its many forms as a crime in Pakistan, but rather consider it an integral part of the culture and the fate of women. When the state fails to prosecute the perpetrators, it not only encourages further abuse, but government’s inaction gives the impression that male violence against females is acceptable,” he added. The director of the AWAM, Nazia Sardar said, “The white ribbon campaign calls for mobilizing people and changing mindsets that hamper not only women’s efficiency at home and work, but make their personal and professional life extremely stressful.” “Violence against women is more problematic in Pakistan, as the existing monitoring system has loopholes, therefore it doesn’t address the issue in an effective manner. Along with legislation to deal with various forms of violence against women, the government must take substantive measure to devise an efficient monitoring system for strict implementation of laws, and must train forces responsible for the implementation of laws protecting vulnerable groups,” she added. A women’s rights activist, Shazia George said, “The conservative values and patriarchal social system is the root cause behind domestic violence, which is considered acceptable and part of culture in Pakistan. The violence in the domestic sphere is objectionable, but most women do not speak up against it, as it is believed to be a family matter which can be resolved behind closed doors. The government needs to take the issue of domestic violence seriously and approve legislation to impose strict penalties on those who subject women to violence.” A human rights activist, Naseem Anthony said, “There exists a dual system of justice in the country, therefore tribal and feudal traditions of jirga, sawara, vani and karo-kari need to be done away with as they strip women of their basic rights.” “The government must approve an effective legislation for the economic and social protection of domestic workers rights, as they are facing heinous violence, including physical and sexual assaults by their owners or their employers. The government must ratify and implement the ILO-Convention 189, which protects and safeguards the rights of working women,” he demanded. A political activist, Robin Daniel said, “It is sad that the forces responsible for protecting citizens are also sometimes found involved in gender based violence particularly; in the jails and shelter homes, therefore the government must pass and enforce a legislation banning and penalizing the torture perpetrated or condoned by the state machinery on detainees, and holding the perpetrators of torture accountable without any impunity.” A social activist, Irshad Parkash said, “There is an urgent need for a reformed system protecting rights of the unregistered women workers engaged in informal sectors including home-based workers, peasant workers and domestic workers, and recognizing them as part of the labour force.” An educationist, Khadim Patras Mal said, “The females from the minority communities are soft targets; therefore they are often abducted, forcibly converted and brought to the wedlock without their consent, and their families are left with little recourse in the face of indifferent government authorities. The government must pass legislation against enforced conversion; embark on clear initiatives directed towards respecting religious diversity in real terms. The abducted girl must be kept at a neutral place to keep her away from any religion specific indoctrination, and before a court decision as to whether she converted by will or coercion.” The rally was joined by hundreds of people hailing from different communities and different socio-economic background. They were wearing white ribbons as a symbol of opposition to violence against women. They shouted and chanted slogans against inhuman and unethical treatment towards women witnessed in Pakistan, and urged the government to take tangible steps for the protection of women’s rights. They were carrying placards and banners inscribed with various statements criticizing gender based discrimination and various forms of physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence occurring in the family, community, and violence perpetrated or condoned by the state.