LAHORE: Aurat Foundation announced to celebrate the international ‘16 days of activism against gender-based violence (GVB) campaign’, themed on improving educational facilities for females in Pakistan.
An interactive session titled ‘Walk in Peace – Books in hands’ was held at Aurat Foundation’s office on Thursday. The event was organised under the guidance of USAID-funded Gender Equity Program (GEP). Media representatives and GEP beneficiaries participated in the session.
In a speech, renowned activist Mumtaz stressed that the GEP, for the last six years, provided funding for various programmes to promote women empowerment. She said that enhancing the access and knowledge of women towards their basic fundamental rights was essential. The Gender Equity Programme aims to close the gender gap in Pakistan by proactively supporting the development of women.
Mumtaz also appreciated the efforts of GEP and all other organisations working on gender issues. She claimed that closing the gender gap is extremely important and that GEP would like to mentor other organisations in this regard.
“What is being done is extremely important, but not enough. We would like to mentor our partners in continuing these initiatives,” she said.
GEP’s Chief of Party Younas Khalid told the audience that with the support of USAID, GEP helped Aurat Foundation in supporting and facilitating women. They provided legal support to gender-based violence (GBV) survivors and encouraged young female students to enhance their legal skills. GEP worked with 12 public sector universities and helped them in various ways, like standardising their curriculum, introducing new gender subjects, counseling students and training the teaching staff. In order to track the emerging trend of GBV and to promote intellectual growth, 13 research studies were conducted.
