KARACHI: The Women Development Department Sindh and UN Women co-organised an awareness seminar at a local hotel in Karachi to commemorate the International 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. This campaign starts on November 25 the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day. The seminar started with Mr Jamshed Kazi Country Representative UN Women welcoming the guests and informing them about the work of UN Women in Pakistan. He highlighted the various projects and initiatives that UN Women is working on for improving the lives of women. In this regards he said “We acknowledge the strong commitment of the Government of Sindh to end violence against women and girls (VAWG) and look forward to strengthening our partnership for women and girl’s protection and prevention of violence.” On the occasion, the Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh for Women Development Ms. Iram Khalid spoke about the initiatives taken by her department. She said “We are putting unflinching efforts to get better results in providing protection and prevention services to the women of Sindh for ending violence.” The Chairperson Sindh Commission On Status of Women Nuzhat Shirin also spoke on the occasion and briefed the audience about the commission’s mission and mandate. She reiterated the commissions resolve to support the Women’s Development Department by saying “Sindh Commission on Status of Women provides full support to the Women Development Department in preventing violence against women and girls in Sindh.” Secretary Women Development Department Sindh Haroon Ahmed Khan gave a detailed briefing about the initiatives taken by the department so far and the way forward. He said “Women Development Department has taken number of initiatives and steps towards economic, social, political and legal rights of women in Sindh.” Published in Daily Times, December 9th 2017.