The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) hosted a legal literacy and awareness session on gender-based violence, workplace harassment and safe migration pathways, bringing together academics, legal experts and diplomats to discuss legal protections and educational opportunities for students.
The event, organized by the university’s Department of Anthropology in collaboration with Society for Human Rights and Prisoners’ Aid (SHARP), also concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation in research, internships, training and student engagement initiatives.
Legal experts from SHARP, including Mr. Mudassir Sanghera and lawyers Ms. Arooj and Ms. Ameena, conducted awareness sessions on gender-based violence (GBV), workplace harassment laws and legal support mechanisms available to victims.
Arno Kirchhof spoke about migration pathways and higher education opportunities for Pakistani students in Germany and other European countries.
University officials stress anti-harassment policies
Prof. Rubina Bhatti, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, highlighted the university’s zero-tolerance policy on harassment and emphasized the importance of implementing anti-harassment laws and institutional support systems.
Prof. Muhammad Saleem, Chairman of Applied Psychology, said gender-based violence should be addressed responsibly and with sensitivity due to its growing social impact.
Other participants included Prof. Malik Mureed from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Dr. Abid Shahzad, Director of International Interlinkages at IUB, Dr. Naeem Asim, Dr. Ali Raza and Dr. Moazzam Durrani.
Students from the Anthropology, Psychology and Public Health departments attended the session, where speakers discussed legal awareness, gender sensitivity, safe migration and international educational opportunities.
MoU signed for research and student opportunities
At the end of the event, SHARP and the Department of Anthropology signed an MoU to expand collaboration in academic research, internships, training programmes and professional development opportunities for students.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Mudassir Sanghera from SHARP, Prof. Rubina Bhatti and Dr. Farooq Ahmed, Chairperson of the Department of Anthropology.
Dr. Farooq Ahmed thanked the participants and said the partnership would help create research and career opportunities for Anthropology students in the future.
The event concluded with both institutions expressing commitment to future collaboration on community engagement and student-focused initiatives.
Also read: Umeed Sahar, IUB Volunteers Bring Urgent Support to Devastated Baqirpur Families
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