An Academic Dialogue on “Women Peace Security, Harmony, Democratic Culture and Climate justice”
Women Peace Security, Harmony, Democratic Culture and Climate justice”held at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, organized by Bhittai Social Watch & Advocacy (BSWA), in collaboration with Sindh Human Rights Commission, (SHRC), and United states Institute of Peace, (USIP), under project titled “Protection of Rights of Women & Minorities in Northern Sindh” held on October 24, 2024.
The Dialogue was chaired by Meritorious Professor Dr. Muhammad Yousuf Khushk, Vice Chancellor. Talking to the participants Dr. Khushk said, BSWA is continuously engaged with Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur in the capacity building of the students, Academia and staff. He said, the purpose of this dialogue aimed at to disseminate the essence of women peace and security, strengthen democratic culture, inclusion of all segments of society for tolerance and interfaith harmony. He also appreciated the sponsor of the project.
The panelists of this dialogue were Dr. Taj Muhammad Lashari, Safia Bano, Adv. Ghazala Kashif Siddiqui, Dr. Zeenat Shar, and Sajid Iqbal.
Ms. Fozia Hanif, the Program Manager from BSWA, briefed regarding the activities of BSWA and mentioned that they have been working with Shah Abdul Latif University on various projects since 2012. She expressed her gratitude that Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur is providing them space to deliver for the betterment of the society and students.
Following the way Forward was recommended by the panelist:
Panelists said that; provision of education of women is an imperative, women empowerment in terms of social, economic and political is vital for our society, they stressed the need for elimination of home based violence, provision of adequate health facilities for women, implement of legislation for the upliftment of the women, inclusion of all segments of society for social cohesion, gender sensitization, provision of equal opportunities for women, effective mechanism against harassment at work places, provision of conducive work environment at work places, promotions of tolerance, and peace narrative in the society, promotion of democrat culture to caste the vote on their choice. They said, that the supremacy of parliament and the parliamentary culture is essential for democracy. They said, that freedom to preface any religion is very essential for social cohesion, they also maintained that promotion of social justice is the need of the time and full participation of women in national life. The panelist said that the protection of right of minorities is also need of the time to provide them viable platform in the society.
They stressed, the need to introduce peace education to promote peace narrative through dialogue discourse and discussion. They also focused on promotion of culture of acceptance for the society so, the interfaith harmony religion tolerance in the society could be promoted. They also shade light on the climate action program, climate justice and climate education and awareness in the society to mitigate its adverse impact. The moderator of this event was Dr. Ali Raza Lashari, who is the focal person of the project.
Question and answer session was also held, the participants participated in this session with vigor.
Earlier Khadim Executive Director BSWA, Welcome with the guest and participants of the dialogue and also shared his views regarding the project “Protection of Rights of Women and Minorities in the Northern Sindh”.