Every artist was first an amateur.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

RIGHT INITIATIVE FOR GENDER-BASED EQUALITY

By signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) recently claimed to have made a big step towards addressing gender-based violence. The MoU places a strong emphasis on integrating and mainstreaming women with disabilities into their initiatives. To create a plan to address violence against women, NCSW collaborated with STEP and other organisations like the United Nations Population Fund. NCSW should provide housing for the children of these women in safe places in addition to helping the mothers escape life-threatening conditions. Numerous attempts of this nature have been made in the past, but with little success. Various organisations have been accused by some of misusing funding and resources and managing them poorly. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the pertinent government departments to oversee the proper use of resources and the advancement of new projects. In order to further empower women and give them more control over their decisions, it is also important to improve their access to healthcare and education through targeted efforts. Investments in the health and education of women can have a greater impact and benefit society as a whole. Therefore, broad and multifaceted measures to support and emancipate women should be done.

Shahnaz Abid,
Islamabad

SERIOUS EFFORTS NEEDED TO ADDRESS SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES

One of the reasons for Pakistan's failure to successfully confront terrorism might be traced to ineffective policies that have stymied advancement in this crucial conflict. The lack of political will and consistency in implementing thorough and ongoing counterterrorism measures has been one of the main problems. Long-term security concerns have occasionally been overshadowed by short-term political gains, resulting in policy vacillation and a lack of commitment to eradicating terrorism. The failure to sufficiently address the underlying socioeconomic issues that support extremism is another factor contributing to the failure. Communities in marginalised areas have been left open to extremist recruitment and radicalization as a result of inadequate investment in education, poverty reduction, and job creation. Pakistan must implement extensive policy changes that put the nation's security above short-term political advantages if it is to successfully combat terrorism. It's important to uphold accountability and transparency. To strengthen resilience against extreme beliefs, it is also important to focus on root causes and socioeconomic inequality. Pakistan has to understand that the battle against terrorism calls for a cohesive, unwavering strategy free from internal contradictions or ambiguous viewpoints. Only then will the country be able to successfully combat terrorism and pave the way for its inhabitants' futures that are more stable and secure.

Sumaiya Ali,
Karachi