Ending Violence Against Women

Violence against women is pervasive in Layyah because of widespread deprivation and illiteracy.It is a socially granted phenomenon, be it the physical violence or depriving women of their right to inheritance or their legitimate right to exercise their own will in the matrimonial affairs.

ADO has conducted different projects and campaigns on and around the issue violence against women.The most visible of these include Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) and a district level campaign, WE CAN, which is in fact part of the EVAW. More than 34,000 women and men are part of the project.

EVAW is a project to safeguard women against domestic violence. It not only provides awareness through a variety of activities, like public meetings, seminars, rallies, radio talk shows, etc. on the repercussions of violence against women on women, home and society, but also engages district administration and other actors like journalists, civil society networks, etc., to take practical steps to mitigate incidence of violence. To provide legal assistance to the women survivors of violence, ADO has formed UC level Madadgar Committees (Support Committees) at Layyah district.These committees include local activists, journalists and lawyers.

South Asia Partnership-Pakistan is principle custodian of the project and the campaign, whereas ADO is the local implementing wing:

WE CAN campaign is an active interpretation of mass mobilization and membership in order to decrease tolerance against violence at the societal level, especially in general communities and educational institutions. To be part of this campaign, one has to take a pledge that s/he would actively discourage violence against women at the level of his/her home and vicinity. The members, who are in thousands, get together at least once in a year and share their stories, which is great source of inspiration both for activists and survivors.