The panel for discussing gender Justice Programme from UNDP and eradication of violence against women.

Screening of Documentary and Panel Discussion on VAW

December 2009: An event titled ‘16 Days and Beyond….’ to commemorate the end of the 16 Days of Activism on Eliminating Violence against Women, was organized by the project on 9 December 2009 in Islamabad. The event featured screening of a documentary “Bushra Survives” by the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF), one of the implementing partners of GJP, followed by a panel discussion on VAW.

Mr. Toshihiro Tanaka, Country Director UNDP and Mr. Mr. George Turkington, Head of the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) were the chief guests for the occasion. The eminent panelist for the event included: (i) Ms. Saba Gul Khattak, Member Social Sectors, Planning Commission; (ii) Ms. Marvi Memon, Member National Assembly; (iii) Dr. Farzana Bari, Head of Gender Studies, QAU University; (iv) Dr. Rakshinda Parveen, social activist; (v) Ms. Samar Minallah, human rights activist and documentary film maker; (vi) Ms. Valerie Khan Yusufazi, Chair of Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF); and (vii) Mr. Salman Asif, Gender Advisor, UNDP. A large number of stakeholders also participated.

Marvi, an active and dedicated Pakistani Parliamentarian, along with Valerie Khan Yusufzai, Acid Survivors Foundation Chairperson, requested the Pakistani government to table the legal propositions that would later on have to be debated as per any  logical democratic process. These amendments have been drafted in collaboration with other parliamentarians, private members, and legal consultants.

You will find more details about this press conference in our press release.