International Hybrid Conference Breaking the Silence (11 June 2024)

The hybrid conference titled “Breaking the Silence: Examining the Violence against Minority Women within South Asian Region and Beyond” organized by South Asia Research Institute for Minorities (SARIM), was hosted at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law (SZABUL), Karachi, Pakistan on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

Violence against women remains pervasive across every country and culture, impacting millions of women and their families globally. Shockingly, statistics reveal that 1 in 3 women, approximately 736 million individuals, endure physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, with minimal change over the past decade.

The conference aimed to illuminate and address the critical issue of violence against women, specifically within the South Asian region and on a global scale. By convening experts, activists, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, SARIM sought to facilitate robust discussions, share profound insights, and propose actionable solutions to combat this enduring problem.

Conducted in a hybrid format, the conference leveraged digital platforms like Zoom to enable international speakers and attendees to participate remotely, ensuring maximal accessibility and inclusivity. The event focused keenly on shedding light on the often-overlooked and underreported severe violence experienced by minority women, encompassing acts such as physical assault, sexual violence, honor killings, abductions, and acid attacks. These discussions underscored the urgent need for heightened awareness, dedicated advocacy, and decisive action to confront and eliminate such atrocities.

Through this conference, SARIM aimed to elevate the voices of marginalized communities, amplify their narratives, and foster global visibility concerning the rights of minority women. By bridging local, regional, and international expertise, the event aimed to galvanize collective efforts towards achieving justice, equality, and dignity for all women, irrespective of their social or ethnic background.

You can watch Recorded Conference here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcAyokuOQUCrgFtIkwNwYGTdjn0gnFKUY