ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Human Rights Secretary Rabiya Javeri Agha has said that the public private partnership is imperative in order to fulfill human rights agenda in Pakistan.
She emphasised that women constitute almost 50 percent of the total population so progress could not be made without ensuring conducive environment for them which is free from exploitation, abuse and violence. She said that the ministry was committed towards protection and promotion of human rights with a special focus on women rights.
Addressing the opening session of the two-day capacity building training of prosecutors and courts officials, she highlighted that the human rights issues were cross cutting requiring collaboration of the organisations concerned. Therefore, she said the ministry would continue such endeavours in order to sensitise the stakeholders and duty bearers for joint efforts.
During her welcome address, Ministry of Human Rights Joint Secretary Humera Azam Khan said that the project has been launched under the Gender Equity Programme to sensitize the officials on gender related issues and laws so that they may be able to better respond the gender-based violence issues. She said that the ministry would conduct 12 capacity building workshops in various selected districts.
The Ministry of Human Rights has been working for harmonising legislation, regulations and practices with the international human rights covenants and agreements to which Pakistan is a party and monitoring their implementation, besides fostering public awareness of human rights, laws and remedies available against the abuse of human rights. Mahpara Shakil Ghauri of the Aurat Foundation emphasized that cooperation between the government and the civil society needs to be further enhanced. She said that the women rights related issues were multi-dimensional which require consistent efforts by the government and the civil society. Various legal and technical experts of the ministry delivered presentations on specific themes and responded to queries raised by the participants.
The Ministry of Human Rights in collaboration with the Aurat Foundation organised the Capacity Building Training of Prosecutors and Court Officials at Islamabad under the project “Devising and Putting forth Women Centered Laws & Capacity Building of Prosecutors and Court Officials.”
