Oxfam bid to protect women in Pak

Islamabad, Nov 25 : International relief organization Oxfam and its allies of the "We Can Campaign" have reportedly planned 1000 events across Pakistan at district level to mark the 'International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women'.

Spread over 127 days from November 25, 2008, the 1000 events will include seminars, rallies, fun fairs, interactive dialogues and meetings with community members, theatrical performances, debates in educational institutions and much more, reported the Daily Times.

The events would take place in districts where the incidence of gender-based violence is high, added the paper.

According to the Asian Development Bank, 85 percent of the women in Pakistan have experienced violence at some time in their lives, which mars all aspects of their well-being.

Speaking a day ahead of the 'International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women', Oxfam Country Director Iftikhar Khalid said, "Although our message touches every one, but its focus is on rural and semi urban population which needs to be mobilised to undo those taboos and customs which promote anti women attitudes."

He said there would be more then 24,000 events arranged by the 'change makers'.

It was expected that about 500,000 people would be directly or indirectly touched by these events in Pakistan. "The objective of our campaign is mass awareness of the issue of violence against women. A series of assemblies of 'change makers' will be held during this period at district and provincial levels which will result in formation of a national level assembly to be attended by approximately 2500 'change makers'," he said.

He said 'We Can' campaign was about change in attitudes and beliefs of a critical mass of the people through simple and small actions in their daily lives to end violence against women.

ANI