President Alvi attends inaugural ceremony of “Insaaf Watch Digital Portal”

Islamabad, 10 March 2022 (TDI): President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi attended the inaugural ceremony of “Insaaf Watch Digital Portal”. Whilst there, he also addressed the audience.

President Dr. Arif Alvi stated that the ongoing measures for women’s empowerment and fostering their financial inclusion will open new paths of economic development in the country.

He enunciated that the awareness of rights is a challenge. Nevertheless, persistent communication via media as well as the public will be helpful. The President shared these views during his address at the inaugural function of “Insaaf Watch Portal”.

Insaaf Watch Portal is a web portal that is designed to improve gender justice in Pakistan. It will work under a partnership between the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Law as well as Justice and Group Development of Pakistan.

President Arif Alvi further stated that Pakistan is at a critical crossroads as its young generation is the center of attention in the world. In this context, he advised the Federal Ministry of Law and Justice to display posters in the madrassahs as well as mosques about pro-women and girls’ laws.

In addition, the Pakistani President also welcomed the use of new technology and the idea to introduce animated videos, audio messages, doodles of laws on the portal, along with the efforts to encapsulate those laws to ensure their availability in both English and Urdu language.

He highlighted that the cases registered are far less than the real instances of violation of women’s rights. As a result, massive awareness among women is required. The protection of women’s rights must be done not only for the international laws but also because it is necessary.

It is the responsibility of a country to ensure that women’s rights are not violated. Islam has given inheritance rights to women 1400 years ago. However, unfortunately, in most cases, women are deprived of their inheritance.

To resolve this issue, the government has devised necessary legislation for the protection of women’s rights. Furthermore, Pakistan has also empowered the ombudsman’s office for this purpose.

President Arif Alvi called for respect for women’s property along with the implementation of laws to protect them against harassment. He underscored that women must be given their inheritance rights. The President also encouraged women to become business partners.

In this regard, he referred to the example of Hazrat Khadija رضي الله عنه who was a successful business woman. The President emphasized that it is the responsibility of society to prevent crimes against women before they happen.

Likewise, society must ensure their safety he said. The President also gave the example of a woman who was harassed at Minar-e-Pakistan and people made videos instead of stopping the scene and helping the woman.

He expressed that approximately Rs.500 billion have been distributed via measures like cash assistance to women through Ehsas program, stipend for school-going girls, and equivalent educational stipends.

These measures will help to financially empower women. President Alvi further articulated that it was equally vital to give special attention to the health of women as malnutrition, recurrent pregnancies, neonatal deaths, as well as maternal deaths are obstacles to the well-being of women.

The government of Pakistan is in the process of implementing necessary legislation along with structural changes. The President lauded the British High Commission and other partners for their support in setting up the Insaaf Watch Digital Portal.

The President that it was important for women to be aware of their rights while enforcing the law.  The legislation took into account the country’s constitution, Islamic teachings, and international laws. A total of more than 700 legal amendments have been drafted.

Malika Bukhari, the Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice said at the occasion that the portal comprises laws on women that will create awareness about the pre-existing laws.

She further stated that the government has also passed a women’s inheritance law, an anti-rape law, and has launched a campaign against honor killings. Besides women, the portal is also important for media, legal experts, and educationists.

Iona Thomas, the Acting Deputy British High Commissioner, also addressed the inaugural function. She appreciated the persistent efforts of President Arif Ali for the protection of women’s rights.

Furthermore, she reaffirmed the support of the British Government to Pakistan in the eradication of crimes against women. Dr. Farogh Naseem, the Minister for Law and Justice, was also present at the event and spoke to the attendees as well. He accentuated that it was high time to implement the above-mentioned structural changes.