December 6, 2013 – Pakistan Gender News

December 6, 2013December 6, 2013

Man kills wife, her mother

NAWABSHAH: A man who allegedly stabbed his wife and mother-in-law to death was caught by people and handed over to the police on Thursday.

Residents of Santa Sindh Goth said they heard a hue and cry in a house in the neighbourhood and rushed to the spot to ascertain as to who was in trouble.

They said they saw their neighbour, Ms Bano, and her daughter, Ms Ubaida, lying in a pool of blood before they could help them.

They further stated that they caught Asif Shah who was present in the house and seemed to have attacked the two women with a knife. The suspect was then handed over to the area police, they added.

During initial interrogation, Asif Shah told police that he attacked his wife, Ms Ubaida, and mother-in-law, Ms Bano, when their long running quarrel over his wife’s friendship with some people turned serious. He claimed that the people used to visit her in his absence.

However, Ms Bano’s other daughter, Ms Hameeda, told neighbours that he used to brutally beat his wife.

She said her sister had to leave him and return to her parents’ home to escape further torture.

On Thursday, Ms Hameeda said, Shah visited them and tried to forcibly take his wife to his home and after failing in his attempt he attacked her with a knife.

“When our mother tried to save her, he also attacked her,” she added.

The bodies were shifted to the Peoples Medical University Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

No FIR was registered till the filing of the report late on Thursday evening.

DAWN

December 6, 2013December 6, 2013

Women’s right to control their lives necessary for empowerment

ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a workshop on “Women Empowerment” said women’s right to control their lives, both within and outside their homes and the ability to influence the direction of social change and create a just social and economic order, nationally and internationally were important components of women empowerment.

The two-day workshop for creating awareness among women regarding legislation for the protection of their rights and ensuring equal status for them in the society concluded here on Thursday at the Pakistan Institute of Manpower (PMI).

The speakers stressed the women’s sense of self-worth, their right to choose and the right to access opportunities.

Explaining the legislation for women’s rights, they said the Article 18 of the 1973 Constitution stated, “Every citizen; subject to qualifications can enter a trade, business or profession of his/her choice.”

The participants were apprised that Article 25 provided guidelines for the equality of citizens. The article says, “All citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.

There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone and nothing in this article shall prevent the state from making any special provision for the protection of women and children.”

Article 26 says, “No person otherwise qualified can be discriminated against in the matter of employment on the basis of race, religion, caste, sex, residence or place of birth.”

Article 27 bans discrimination on the basis of sex for appointments in the services in Pakistan, provided that the job can be carried out by both sexes.

Article 32 of the Constitution says, “Special representation shall be given to women in local government institutions.” Whereas Article 34 states, “Steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national life.”

Article 37(e) makes provision for securing just and humane conditions of work, ensuring that children and women are not employed in vocations unsuited to their age or sex, and for maternity benefits.

Article 38(a) of the Constitution says, “The state is responsible for securing the well-being of the people, irrespective of their sex by raising their standard of living.”

Around 100 women took part in the workshop and showed their commitment to work for the welfare of women, besides disseminating their knowledge of laws to their peers and other employees of their organisations.

Daily Times

December 6, 2013December 6, 2013

Equal representation for men, women sought in local bodies

MANSEHRA: Representatives of nongovernmental organisations working for women rights and development on Thursday demanded of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to give men and women equal representations in the local bodies.

The demand was made here at Mansehra Press Club during a seminar on gender equality and discrimination against women.

The speakers urged the provincial government to give 50 per cent representation in the local bodies to women.

Sungi Development Coordinator Mohammad Javed said the Senate and National Assembly couldn’t legislate for women’s empowerment due to lack of enough representation of women there.

He said it was high time that women should be respected and empowered through proper legislation and share in the elected bodies.

Member of Public Safety and Police Complaint Commission Gulnaz Shah demanded equal representation for both men and women in the elected bodies.

She said currently, there was no strong voice of women in parliament and that was why abuses against women were increasing.

Ms Gulnaz said until participation of women at the decision-making forums and elected bodies was ensured, discrimination and violence against them would continue.

She said many local NGOs had established village councils of women to highlight their problems but it was highly important to give equal share to women in local bodies so that they could raise their voice against whatever discriminations being meted out to them in society.

Ms Shah said she had come across a large number of cases in which women were even deprived of their inheritance in moveable and immoveable property.

“It is unfortunate that women are considered as a commodity and handed over to rival families under vani custom to settle blood feuds. The custom is an inhuman act and should be banned completely,” she said.

On the occasion, Mohammad Asif said from Nov 25 to Dec 10, the international community would organise events to highlight women issues and problems.

“We are also part of the global village and should show up largely in events, where women issues are highlighted and voice is raised in support of women empowerment,” he said.

Mr Asif said if women were given due rights and equal share in elected bodies, there would be no violation of women rights and that women would be considered integral part of society.

Qamar Zaman and Obaidullah also spoke on the occasion.

DAWN

December 6, 2013December 6, 2013

Teenage girl shot dead by brother

Karachi: A teenaged girl was killed by her brother at their residence within the Ittehad Town police limits on Thursday.

Sixteen-year-old Rubina, daughter of Ghazi Khan, was shot dead by her elder brother, Tazi Gul Khan, after a heated quarrel at their residence in Kawari Colony in Baldia Town.

According to the police, Rubina had married a person of her choice and eloped recently. She returned to her parents’ house for their blessings but instead encountered the blinded rage of her brother. The accused managed to flee after the shooting and efforts to apprehend him are underway.

The News