UN Women Pakistan kicked off its #KoiJawaazNahi (#NoExcuse) advocacy campaign at Karachi University, marking the beginning of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.”
This year’s campaign aligns with the theme: “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
The initiative is designed to reinforce commitments, hold stakeholders accountable, and encourage collective action to eliminate violence against women and girls as the world approaches the 30th anniversary of the pivotal Beijing Declaration.
The campaign was launched with the Rolling Resistance: Theatre on Wheels initiative, a mobile theatre truck aimed at raising awareness and sparking dialogue through live performances. The launch event gathered key figures from academia, government, and civil society.
Louise Nylin, Country Representative of UN Women Pakistan, emphasized the campaign’s transformative potential.
She said, “Through creative platforms like Rolling Resistance, we aim to spark dialogue, foster empathy, and empower communities to reject violence in all its forms. Gender-based violence is a human rights crisis affecting every facet of society.”
Professor Dr. Shaista Tabassum, Dean of Social Sciences at Karachi University, welcomed the initiative, noting that the university is proud to be part of the campaign. She emphasized that combating gender-based violence requires not just policies but a cultural shift, which initiatives like this aim to inspire.
Shaheena Sher Ali, Minister for Women Development in Sindh, called for collective responsibility in tackling gender-based violence. She remarked, “This campaign reminds us that there is #KoiJawaazNahi – no excuse – for violence against women.” She urged policymakers, educators, and citizens to unite to ensure every woman and girl in Pakistan lives free from fear.
The Rolling Resistance truck will travel to other cities, including Lahore, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, and Islamabad, using street theatre to challenge societal norms and raise awareness. The campaign focuses on three main priorities: ensuring justice for survivors, securing funding for women’s rights organizations, and advancing national action plans to prevent and respond to violence against women.
Aligned with the Beijing+30 advocacy priorities, the campaign seeks to foster a society where everyone can thrive safely and with dignity. The global 16 Days of Activism runs annually from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), urging urgent action to end gender-based violence.
Source: The Nation
