Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - To stop violence against women, promote equal rights for women in society, eradicate the scourge of "forced conversions" were the objectives of the demonstration held yesterday, April 12, in Lahore, capital of Punjab province, promoted by a civil society network in Pakistan. Hundreds of activists, intellectuals, women, numerous professionals, civic and religious, gathered outside the headquarters of the Press Association of Lahore. The Catholic community of Pakistan, explained to Fides His Exc. Mgr. Sebastian Shaw, President of the Episcopal Commission for Women Development, "was present through the Justice and Peace Commission, and many women: we support these peaceful demonstrations, trying to promote equal dignity for women in society. " The Church has also launched a specific organization run by Catholic women, the "Catholic Women's Organization" (CWO), which contributes to the development of Christian women and at the same time promotes the rights of all women in Pakistan.
The event follows other public protests in Lahore held recently in Islamabad, outside the headquarters of the Federal Parliament, which is considering these days a law to combat domestic violence against women. The law, called "Domestic Violence Bill", if approved, "will establish a series of measures to prevent and punish abuse and domestic violence," explains to Fides Fauzia Jacob, a lay Catholic, of the CWO. Fazia continues: "Women in Pakistan do not have the same rights as men and are also discriminated against in the law: for example, until recently, they could not come into an inheritance, which was reserved only for sons. About a month ago, this discrimination was abolished, thanks to pressure from civil society. But much remains to be done to ensure women's rights. " Indeed, "in Parliament there are religious Islamic fundamentalist parties which oppose the adoption of measures to improve the lives of women and promote their rights." In this struggle, "many Muslim women who, thanks to our commitment, are improving their social and civil condition," says Fauzia to Fides.
One of the "hot topics" is that of forced conversions to Islam, which is faced by women belonging to religious minorities, Christians and Hindus: recently the issue has officially arrived on the agenda of the government and will be the focus of a meeting of the National Commission for Minorities (see Fides 12/04/2012). (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/04/2012)
