University of Balochistan Commits to Making Campuses Safer for Women & Girls

Balochistan, Pakistan — The University of Balochistan (Gender & Development Department), Balochistan’s Women Development Department (WDD) and UN Women hosted a screening of Pakistan’s Oscar winning documentary by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’ followed by a discussion on ‘The Balochistan Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2016’ in recognizing that sexual harassment is a form of discrimination and violence against women.

Photo: UN Women/Henriette Bjoerge

The event as part of UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism to end gender-based violence, with support from the Australian Government, was held on 28 November 2016 in the University of Balochistan with nearly 200 participants from Media and Radio Broadcasting Companies, Civil Society, UN Agencies, Academia, Gender Task Force, Directorate General of Public Relations, Departments of Women Development, Social Welfare, Information, Education, Health, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.

In his remarks, Mr. Jawed Iqbal (Vice Chancellor, University of Balochistan) said: “The University of Balochistan is a co-education system where 40% students are females perusing degrees. The University has a zero-tolerance policy against any form of harassment. Using today’s platform and as the largest university of the province, we want to set an example for other universities. I announce the notification of an Inquiry Committee within the University of Balochistan, as per the Protection from Workplace Harassment Act, comprised of two women and one male Committee Members”.

Speaking on engaging youth and especially men, Mr. Auragzaib Alizai (Chairperson Gender & Development Department University of Balochistan) shared: “The youth are the cream of the society and they are conducting baseline and researches but those are not reflected at any platform - we need to promote the research culture and prioritize our needs accordingly. Whilst promoting equality and empowerment, we need to sensitize men and empower women in all spheres of lives.”

Ms. Salma Qureshi (Additional Secretary, Social Welfare Department) highlighted: “If women are the real architect of society, they need ‘real’ empowerment in the society as men receive.”

Ms. Yasmin Lehri (Chief Guest and Member of Provincial Assembly, Balochistan) in her remarks said: “With support of male family members a female can be empowered in whatever she chooses, I am an example of that. In Balochistan we have a rich culture of respect for women but there is a need to give women respect through empowerment as well. I appreciate working women because they face so many societal challenges to succeed. We need to recognize these women and their challenges at different forums and address them.”

Other speakers included: Ms. Rubina Zehri (Manager, Women Crisis Center Quetta, WDD); Mr. Haroon Dawood (Resident Director, Aurat Foundation); Maliha Hussain (Mehargarh); Mr. Zahoor Bazai (Director Quality & Assurance Department, University of Balochistan); Ms. Sana Durrani (Member, National Commission on the Status of Women); and Mr. Fateh Mohammad Khajak (Director, WDD).

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Photos: UN Women/Dolat Khan