A seminar
on "Consultation on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as a Public Health
Issue" was organized by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP)
on Wednesday September 17, 2025 at Trichmir Hotel Chitral. District line departments from across Chitral
participated in the consultative workshop, while the University of Chitral was
represented by Dr. Habib Nawab from the Department of Sociology.
The session was led by Ms. Qudsia Mahtab Mehmood and Ms. Shazia Sultan, Gender
Specialists from the Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan. The workshop featured a
rich discussion and interactive sessions on GBV in Chitral, focusing on
referral mechanisms that ensure confidentiality and ways to support affected
individuals in their lives and education. The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme
(AKRSP) appreciated the inclusion of Gender Studies and Sociology of Human
Rights in the BS Sociology curriculum, recognizing it as a step that can
contribute to creating awareness on the issue and reducing GBV cases. They also
expressed their support for gender related activities and initiatives at
university level.
