Explaining the importance of the theme, Raisa Gul, Director Diploma Programme, AKU School of Nursing (AKUSON), stated that violence is a major public health problem that is overtaking infectious disease as the main cause of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Each year more than two million people die as a result of injuries from violence. Speaking in the context of the theme, the chief guest, Zia Awan, President of Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid, explained and alluded to the acts of violence committed against women, and nurses in particular, in their home settings as well as in workplaces. Lamenting that much of the violence against women, and nurses especially, went unreported, he explained: "Even the police do not help much ... people are afraid to report violence to the police, as they fear they themselves might get entangled in the process." Accentuating the need to have policies and laws at top levels to ensure proper protection for women, 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 besides creating awareness amongst women, it was important to educate the perpetrators.

In her address, Khurshid Khowaja '84, Acting Director Nursing Services, AKUH, said, "Families are reluctant to send their girls into nursing, as the profession is perceived to have a negative image, a poor salary structure, and unsafe environment". She added that AKU has taken a leading role in overcoming these issues.

Many nurses and other professionals presented papers relevant to the theme. Afshan Nazli, an instructor from the Jinnah Postgraduate College of Nursing, presented an analysis of the nurses' work environment in the public sector. Discussing the predisposing factors of violence, she said that low nurse-patient ratios (i.e. 1:30-40), the influx of political gangs, and the non-availability of drugs and equipment were found to play a major role.