Islamabad: November 24, 2015: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Government is committed to emancipate women and protect them from all kinds of exploitation and violence. He said that in his message on the International Day for elimination of violence against women being commemorated throughout the world on 25th November.

Speaker said that violence against women is a serious human rights abuse that needs to be eliminated through coordinated efforts. The violence against women- both physical and mental - happens everywhere and its consequences last for generations, thus, posing threats to social fabrics of societies around the globe.

He said that political forces are determined to make Pakistan a place where everyone has the same opportunities to participate in all walks of life with dignity and self-esteem. He said that the Parliament of Pakistan is fully aware of its responsibility to protect and guard the rights of women comprising more than half of the country’s population.

He said that women quota is 33% in government boards, whereas, their quota has been raised from 5% to 15% in government jobs ensuring greater participation of women. He said that centers for immediate response are being constructed across the country for women who are victims of domestic violence. The Speaker said that the formation of Women Parliamentary Caucus was the joint effort by the women parliamentarians and they are committed to play a key role in putting together all different areas around a common agenda to ensure protection and access of rights for women.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq call upon the civil society, NGOs, international development partners, media, corporate sector and particularly the women themselves to come forward and play their role for protection of women’s rights against violence.