UN Women Pakistan launched its #KoiJawaazNahi (#NoExcuse) advocacy campaign at Karachi University, marking the start of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.” This year’s campaign, aligned with the theme “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” aims to reinforce global commitments, demand accountability from stakeholders, and encourage collective action to eliminate gender-based violence. The event featured the innovative Rolling Resistance: Theatre on Wheels initiative, a mobile theatre designed to engage communities through live performances, sparking dialogue and raising awareness about gender-based violence. Louise Nylin, Country Representative of UN Women Pakistan, highlighted the campaign’s potential to drive social change.
“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 not just a women’s issue; it is a human rights crisis affecting every facet of society. Globally, one in three women experiences violence in her lifetime.” Professor Dr. Shaista Tabassum, Dean of Social Sciences at Karachi University, praised the campaign’s launch at the university, emphasizing its role in shaping young minds and shifting cultural attitudes: “As an institution dedicated to shaping minds, Karachi University is proud to host this campaign. The fight against gender-based violence requires not just policies but also a cultural shift that initiatives like these can inspire.” Shaheena Sher Ali, Minister for Women Development Department, Government of Sindh, called for collective action to combat gender-based violence, stating: “This campaign reminds us that there is #KoiJawaazNahi – no excuse – for violence against women. It is time for us all, as policymakers, educators, and citizens, to stand united and ensure that every woman and girl in Sindh and Pakistan lives free from fear.” The Rolling Resistance initiative will continue its journey across Pakistan, traveling to Lahore, Peshawar, Mardan, and Kohat, before culminating in Islamabad.
The campaign aims to challenge societal norms through street theatre, amplifying the call to end gender-based violence. Aligned with the Beijing+30 advocacy priorities, the campaign focuses on strengthening accountability, securing funding for women’s rights organizations, and advancing national strategies to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. The global 16 Days of Activism campaign, observed from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), calls for urgent action to end gender-based violence. Through the #KoiJawaazNahi campaign, UN Women Pakistan aims to foster a society where everyone can live in safety and dignity.
