An Evening of Colors and Deep Thoughts rejecting Violence Against Women

A Poster and Debate competition for students organized by SWO held at KATI

The message was loud and clear. With their texts and textures, boys and girls from the city of lights expressed in clear terms that they reject Violence Against Women (VAW) in the society and are motivated to stop it.

More than sixty young artists and speakers made this commitment on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at a ‘Poster and Debate Competition’ for school children organized by Sunshine Welfare Organization (SWO)
in collaboration with UNIFEM. It was held at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI),Karachi.

The competition was part of a series of activities that SWO is undertaking in Karachi and Rawalpindi/Islamabad to celebrate the global campaign ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence’.

The event began with an exhibition of posters on the theme of ‘We Can End Violence Against Women’ prepared by the students of grade 8 to 10. It was an impressive display of deep thoughts combined with artistic expressions that created a galaxy of colours. The children made solid comment over the situation
and shocked everyone with their thorough understanding of the issue. Everything related to VAW in the society was discussed in vivid details. The stigma, the sufferings, the crimes and the cruelties faced by women were captured in stunning details by the young artists. For some, the skill and subjects chosen by students were beyond their ages and in itself a reflection of the severity of the problem.

Later, a group of students, in their speeches on the topic of ‘Is Violence Against Women Really Our Problem?’ asserted in style that VAW is indeed a problem of our society. By way of mixing both logical and emotional argumentation, they made the case that the time is ripe for the people to take a firm stand and reject VAW in all of its forms and impacts.

The Chief Guest on the occasion, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, (former Chairman, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry) in his address appreciated the effort and said that it is the need of the hour to discuss VAW-related issues with objectivity and sincerity. Earlier Mr Haseeb inaugurated the poster
exhibition and discussed with children their drawings.

Senior Journalist Mr Ghulam Mohiuddin reflected upon the role of the media in stopping VAW in the society and said that children should be encouraged through other means of expressions to express their opinions on serious social challenges.

Mr Shahzad Iqbal, Executive Director of SWO said that during the 16-Day campaign, SWO is undertaking many activities in Karachi and the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to increase awareness of the systemic nature of violence against women and expose it as a violation of women’s human rights. He said that our goal is to strengthen those voices that are demanding better living conditions for women across the world and in the country. He said that we hope that the objectives for these activities are in unison with many other groups and individuals and we are looking forward to join hands with them. He thanked the students and administration of Muslim Public School and the UNIFEM for their support in the campaign.

The event concluded with awards presentation to the winners of poster and debate competition. Six students received trophies from members of the panel of judges and huge applause from the packed house.

Those who also spoke on the occasion included Amjad Ullah Khan (Vice Chairman, KATI), Kashif Ali Khan (Chairman Anti-corruption and HR committee, KATI), Mrs Saba Shakeel (Member, Board of Directors, SWO), Mrs. Sahar Shoaib (Member, Board of Directors SWO) and Wajid Hussain (administrator Muslim Public School)