Search Box

Thursday, December 5, 2024

AWKUM and UNFPA Pakistan Sign MoU on Gender-Based Violence Integration

 

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.