PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar stressed the need for creating awareness among different segments of society, especially students, about gender-based violence (GBV).

The seminar was organised by SachStruggle for Change, an NGO, in collaboration with UNHCR, department of social work, University of Peshawar and Flower organisation to mark the 16 days of activism against GBV at Puta Hall, University of Peshawar.

The speakers said that the 16 days of activism was a global campaign to end genderbased violence. The Centre for Women`s Global Leadership is the global coordinator for this campaign.

They said that starting and ending dates ofthecampaignwereNovember25,International Day for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, and December 10, Human Rights Day, respectively. Those dates were chosen to emphasise that gender-based violence was a violation of human rights, they added.

They believed that the campaign was successful because of the activism of millions of women and tens of thousands of organisations worldwide that were committed to ending gender-based violence The activity was attended by UoP controller examination Dr Rasheed Khan, chairman department of social work Dr Bashrat and representatives of UNHCR and other government and non-governmental organisations.

According to a press release, the whole activity was interactive and all the participants shared their experiences about the theme of the year -healthy relationship athome, in school and in community.

Awaisur Rehman, the task manager of Sach-Struggle for Change, said that their organisation was devoted to the victims of violence and torture. He also delivered a presentation on 16 days of activism against GBV.

A brief session was taken by Dr Basharat on the theme of year. He delivered different messages through different examples.

Street children and students of social work department presented skits to highlight GBV in the society and the theme of the year.

Videos and songs on GBV and women rights were played and feedback of the participants was taken for better understanding.

Dr Rasheed Khan, a community associate of UNHCR, Atiga Kazmi, a community mobiliser, Hammad Khan, and president of Afghan Women Association Mastoora also shared their views about the theme of the year.