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Nurses Raise Voice Against Violence on International
Nurses Day
Nurses
at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) celebrated the 'International
Nurses Day' on June 1, 2001. The
day is observed every year across the world in commemoration of Florence
Nightingale, Lady with the Lamp. This year, the day was marked by the
theme: "Is Violence A Preventable Disease In Health Care Settings
In Pakistan?"
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| Participants viewing
posters on International Nurses Day held at Aga Khan University
on June 1, 2001. The event focused on the theme 'Is Violence a Preventable
Disease in Health Care Settings in Pakistan?" |
The
chief guest, Mr. Zia Awan, President of Lawyers for Human Rights, speaking
in the context of the theme, explained and alluded to the acts of violence
committed against women, and nurses in particular, in their home settings
as well as workplaces. Lamenting that much of the violence against women,
and nurses especially, went unreported, he explained: "Even police
does not help much people are afraid to report violence to the police,
as they fear they themselves might get entangled in the process."
Mr. Awan also said
that the perception of Nursing totally changes when one refers to it in
the context of AKU, and he hopes AKU would come forward and take the initiative
of setting up a centre advocating Nurses' rights. Accentuating the need
to have policies and laws at top levels to ensure proper protection to
women, Mr.Awan said: "We should have a comprehensive campaign to
combat violence against nurses in Pakistan, so that they can feel safe
at work." He also stressed that more than creating awareness amongst
women, it was important to educate the perpetrators.
Ms. Khurshid Khowaja,
Acting Director Nursing Services, in her address, said: "families
are reluctant to send their girls into Nursing, as the profession is perceived
to have a bad image, a poor salary structure, and also for reasons of
safety and security." She further stated that AKU has taken a leading
role in overcoming these issues.
The speeches were
followed by poster displays and a play that gave an insight into the problems
faced by women, especially nurses.
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