LAHORE: Shirakt Gah, South Asia Partnership Pakistan and Kashf Foundation along with other non-governmental organisations (NGO) organised a walk and solidarity rally at the Lahore Press Club to mark the International Women Rights Defenders Day.
The participants carried banners and placards demanding an end to all forms of violence against women and acts of harassment against human rights defenders. November 29 is a day of recognition for human rights activists when activism, advocacy and courageous acts of resistance are to be commemorated.
The campaign focuses on defence of rights and the impact of abuses of state and non-state actors including family and community members, rise in militarism and fundamentalism and the many ways defenders are targeted. Women activists paid a heavy toll for their work in protesting and promoting the rights of others in Pakistan where they work by putting their physical security at risk.
It was imperative that the government ensure effective protection for women human rights defenders. The solidarity rally was a party of global 16 days of activism campaign against gender violence.
