United Nations Fund for
Population (UNFPA) Pakistan and Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan signed an MOU
on Gender-Based Violence integration in curriculum, Research, and Partnerships
UNFPA Assistant Representative Dr.
Rubeena expressed her views that in Pakistan, 28% of omen aged 15-49 years
have experienced physical violence while 34% of ever-married women have
experienced spousal physical violence. It is alarming that among the victims,
56% women are not seeking any help and even they have not talked to anyone
about the violence they faced. It is an established fact that without the
support of university leaders, faculty and students it is hard to prevent
gender-based violence in Pakistan. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Zahir Shah
discussed that academia is one of the important places to produce better
localized knowledge and evidence-informed policy for preention and response to
Gender-Based Violence in Pakistan.
On the occasion, Dr. Hussain Ali
Assistant Professor of Sociology expressed his views that in a few disciplines
GBV-related topics are taught in gender studies courses for students'
understanding but there is no specialized course on Gender-Based Violence and
GBV Case Management. In the meeting he stressed the establishment of a resource
lab to set a research agenda on GBV, GBViE and GBV Case Management. In Resource
Lab researchers will produce research-informed policy recommendations for all
government line departments and agencies to prevent and respond to GBV. To
achieve gender equality and to mitigate the risk of GBV in Pakistan a
Memorandum of Understanding is signed between UNFPA and Department of Sociology
Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan. UNFPA will provide technical assistance to
the University for Prevention of GBV in the province.