Experts call for collective action to protect women from violence, harassment

HYDERABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2026) Academicians, experts, social reformers and civil society representatives expressed serious concern over rising violence against women, cyber blackmail, harassment and deep-rooted structural inequalities at a national conference on Thursday.

They warned that weak implementation of laws and persistent social barriers continue to undermine women’s safety and empowerment.

The National Conference on Women’s Protection 2026, held under the theme “Promoting Safety, Rights and Empowerment of Women in Academia and Society,” was organized here by Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, in collaboration with the Higher education Commission (HEC) Islamabad, Sindh Higher Education Commission, Sindh Women Development Department and other partner organizations.

According to the SAU spokesperson, speakers, on the occasion, observed that women’s protection was not merely a legal or social responsibility but also a moral, religious and constitutional obligation that requires collective action from government institutions, academia, civil society, media and communities.

Addressing the inaugural session, SAU Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal said women constitute the backbone of society, and no nation can attain meaningful progress unless women are safe, educated, respected and empowered. He said equal opportunities in recruitment and institutional systems must be ensured for women, adding that women’s empowerment was deeply rooted in Islamic teachings and supported by historical examples of justice and leadership.

He said that despite legislative progress, women continue to face harassment, domestic violence, workplace discrimination, cybercrime, forced marriages and unequal access to opportunities, underscoring the need for coordinated institutional responses.

Women activist and social reformer Marvi Awan emphasized upon the need for responsible handling of harassment complaints within educational institutions and cautioned against irresponsible use of social media in such cases.

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She said mishandling sensitive cases not only affected institutions but could also negatively impact other girls and their families, urging greater awareness of digital ethics.

Chairman Students–Teachers Engagement Program, Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, said that nearly 34 percent of women in the country experience domestic or other forms of violence, while 54 percent did not report incidents of abuse. He added that more than 18,000 women were subjected to social media harassment and blackmail during the previous year.

He further noted that women continue to face discrimination in land ownership, inheritance rights and wages, while child marriage had emerged as a deeply rooted social issue.

Samina Abbasi of the Women Development Department, Hyderabad, said barriers faced by women in society ultimately hinder broader social progress. She stressed upon the importance of creating a genuine sense of safety for women and girls from homes to educational institutions and workplaces, and called for ending discriminatory attitudes towards daughters and sons within families.

Member Syndicate SAU, Dr Shabana Sartaj Tunio, observed that women encounter challenges not only in institutions but also within their domestic environments, stressing the need for a broader and more comprehensive approach to women’s protection.

During the event, Dr Mahmooda Buriro presented the conference recommendations. The conference called for harassment-free campuses, stronger anti-harassment mechanisms, counselling and mental health support services and increased scholarships for female students, particularly from rural communities.

On the occasion, Dr Feroza Soomro presented poetry, and Dr Ghulam Hussain Wagan performed Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s traditional Waee. Women from diverse schools of thought, social leaders, teachers, students and participants including Bibi Yasmeen, Reshma Thebo and Radha Bheel also attended the conference.