Film festival held to raise awareness about violence against women

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

LAHORE: Shirkat Gah, in collaboration with the Women Reclaiming and Redefining Culture Programme, held a film festival at the Ali Auditorium on Thursday to promote understanding regarding violence against women (VAW). The film festival was held to mark 100 years of International Women’s Day (1911-2011). It showcased the work of students from four universities, namely the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Punjab University (PU), Beaconhouse National University (BNU) and Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), and was aimed at raising awareness regarding gender based violence and the eradication of VAW among the youth of Pakistan through the medium of film.The first prize of Rs 50,000 was awarded to PU’s “Decade”, while the second prize was awarded to LCWU’s “Apna Haq Pehchano”. A jury consisting of independent filmmakers and women rights activists determined the winners. The films focused on highlighting the prevalent culture of perpetuating VAW in Pakistan, including physical, emotional and sexual violence. Specific aspects of VAW that were highlighted include domestic abuse, honour killings, restriction on movement, denying inheritance rights, and forced marriages. The management said the festival was held to bring these social injustices to the forefront