Gender Justice

According to Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2014, one in every five women in Pakistan is subjected to physical violence, a third of all married women go through it, as well. Over 40 per cent of women suffer spousal abuse at some point. In 2015 it was recorded that 59% of Pakistani women experienced domestic violence, 14% being forced into marriages, 5% raped, 2% suffered inheritance deprivation and 18% went through kinds of violence.

Discrimination based on gender is deep-rooted – centuries-long problem of our land. Half of the population of the country –the females, suffer because of the patriarchal mindset of the other half –the males

To bring a dynamic shift in the above scenario, Omer is working with a different approach to counter the issue of violence by addressing the patriarchal mindset of individuals, society and the state.

We have too long assumed that women's rights and enfing violence against women are only concerns for women. Omer Aftab is a steller example of a man who has said that men must speak out on these issies. His efforts, including the remarkable White Ribbon Campaign of pakistan, have included diverse initiatives for men to examine their own ideas and behaviours and so speak out for justice. Dr. Micheal Kaufmann, author and advisor to fovernments, the United Nations, NGOSs, educators, and businesses. Co-founder of the international White Ribbon Campaign.

Dr. Micheal Kaufmann

Being an advocate of gender equality in a patriarchal society is not an easy job to be carried forward, but Omer’s visionary plans combined with his extraordinary campaigning skills and power on converting dreams into reality through timely execution, made him stand out in this field in no time.

To combat the situation of gender discrimination, Omer introduced the idea of ‘Men Engagement’ to End Violence Against Women in Pakistan in 2005. It was comprehensive 360 campaign in which Omer, applied tactical advocacy efforts for pro-women legislation backed by awareness interventions across the country and get the mainstream media into a loop to mold the mindset of men and boys about the status of women through behavioral change communication program.

The aim is to sensitize men that masculinity can be used in a healthy and positive direction instead of violence and sexual assaults and improved relationships can be flourished based on respect for the opposite gender.

At the same time, Omer toiled to empower women with awareness and education and sensitized women with their financial, social, cultural, religious and institutional rights. His efforts helped to accelerate the positive change in the overall development of the country.

Omer realized the significance of engaging government in providing basic women rights like the right to education, health facilities and economic empowerment. Besides; making and implementing of pro-women laws and to ensure the systems in place to provide redressal to victims of violence. Following his model of Public-Private Social Partnership, Omer engaged with relevant governments department in advocacy interventions for pro-women legislation.

He is internationally recognized for his work on Gender Justice and called to present papers on many international conferences like 1st White Ribbon International Conference in 2013 by White Ribbon Australia, South Asia Regional Conference, Joining Forces to Overcome VAW – Changing social attitudes on VAW by World Bank and 3rd World Conference on Women Shelters by Dutch Government.

Taking this effort to a next level Omer managed to compile two comprehensive books (i. Violence Against Women in Pakistan Legal Remedies for VAW cases, ii. Law Discrimination and Women in Pakistan & Where Do We Stand) to help out not only common citizen but also the law professionals on dealing with cases of violence against women.

Currently, Omer is working on a very unique idea of redefining narrative on the status of women to promote gender equality. A desk review on Redefining Narrative on Status of Women in Pakistan is on its way. This might help the government to design a holistic strategy for the betterment of women of Pakistan.