PESHAWAR
Neelam Toru Chairperson Panahgha Board and Bardash Foundation on Tuesday said that early marriages destroy girls’ education as well as health. Whereas most of the deaths among women between the ages of 15 and 19 in the world are due to premature pregnancy.
She expressed these views while addressing a function on the occasion of the campaign against Gender-Based Violence organized by the welfare organization Bardash Foundation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Peshawar Model School Girls 5.
The ceremony was attended by Voice President Bardash Foundation Muslim Khan Taj, General secretary Nooran Afridi, Information Secretary Murad Khan, Finance Secretary Junaid Toru, School Principal Saeeda Atiq, teachers and students in large number.
She said, “The problem of gender-based violence is very high in Pakistan due to underage marriages. Most women are affected by gender-based violence which is visible nowadays.”
Adding that it is important to spread awareness among the students against gender-based violence as well as make them part of the campaign.
“An estimated one in three women has been sexually or physically abused. All concerned and responsible persons must play their role in the campaign against gender-based violence”, she added.
On the occasion, Dr. Nooran Afridi, General Secretary of the Bardash Foundation, said that a full-fledged campaign against Gender-Based Violence is being carried out globally for 16 days every year.
Furthermore, underage marriages are the biggest problem for girls and it creates gender-based violence. Nowadays, physical violence and mental stress on women are increasing day by day, he added.
Moreover, he urged the government for conducting 16 days awareness campaign against gender-based violence in schools and colleges every year. In addition, the Bardash Foundation will run a 16-day awareness campaign in schools and colleges not only in Peshawar but also in other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
On this occasion, the principal of Peshawar Model School 5 Saeeda Atiq said that it is very important to run this campaign in schools and colleges. So that the students can go for their rights as well as fight for it. This will give women their rightful place in society.
She thanked the organizers of the Bardash Foundation for launching the awareness campaign against Gender-Based Violence with Peshawar Model School Girls 5 and promised to give their full support to the campaign.
