Mazari stresses collaborative efforts to protect rights of vulnerable segment of society

ISLAMABAD, Mar 5 (APP):Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari Tuesday stressed collaborative efforts for protecting the rights of vulnerable segment of society specially the oppressed women, children, transgender and making them self sufficient by enhancing their skills.
Addressing a seminar titled National Seminar nonliving dignity – Post Shelter Integration of Women Survivors of Violence, she urged civil society, non governmental organisations (NGOs), human rights activists and general public to help government in enhancing awareness among children, women about the looming dangers they could encounter. “We must join hands for protecting the dignity of women folk as together we can move forward,” she said adding holistic approach was imperative to save children from abuses.
She said the ministry has already established legal aid cell to provide instant help to the needy women. The services of five volunteer lawyers were available to distressed women to provide legal aid regarding inheritance.
She said the ministry has decided to compile database of human right abuses in collaboration of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
She said a special ward has been established at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) to provide free health facilities to transgender community.
Child abuse awareness programme has already been launched in the schools of federal capital to teach children about the effects of good touch, bad touch.
The government was finalizing a law to provide inheritance rights to women folk. Another bill has been drafted to protect women from domestic violence. National commission of Status for Women was also being strengthened.