Moot highlights challenges Pakistani girls are facing

LAHORE: Speakers at a seminar titled Girls’ Vision for Future Friday highlighted challenges Pakistani girls are facing in terms of their education, health, nutrition and well-being.

The moot, organised by Women in Struggle for Empowerment (WISE) at a local hotel in connection with International Day of Girl, was addressed by Ms Bushra Khaliq, Executive Director WISE, Sidra Humayun, Programme Coordinator, UN Women, Nabila Bhatti, member Working Group at National Commission on the Rights of Child, Imran Mehboob Khan, representative of Punjab Police Integrated Command Control & Communication Center, Punjab Safe City Authority, Nazir Ahmad Gazi, Coordinator Child Rights Movement (CRM), Ms Humaira, Child Protection Officer, Child Protection & Welfare Bureau and Dr Noor ul Zaman, Director, Phoenix Foundation.

The speakers said 12 million girls are out of schools and nearly 19 million girls are married underage. They said some 54 percent girls become pregnant before their 18th birthday and 55 percent are anemic. Bushra said girls are often subject to societal pressure to conform to certain ideals of beauty, behavior, and domesticity and are discouraged from participating in outdoor activities.

Sidra Humayun said many girls face physical, emotional, or sexual abuse at home, often by family members or relatives and cultural norms often prevent them from speaking out against such abuses. Nabila Bhatti said despite legal prohibitions, child marriage is still common, especially in rural areas.

Imran stressed public awareness regarding child protection. Nazir called for empowering girls through education. Humaira discussing safety mechanisms for effective child protections. Dr Noor said teenage drug addiction among girl students is a serious social problem confronting the Pakistani society. A large number of community women, domestic workers, students and young girls attended the moot.

World Egg Day : University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) observed World Egg Day with the theme of ‘United by Eggs’ here on Friday.

Various activities, including a seminar, a walk, informative video about egg nutrition, singing performance by students from special education school, egg eating competitions featured the day to create awareness among the public about the nutritional value of egg and its importance for the growth of the human body.