Faisalabad, Pakistan: November 26, 2011. (PCP) The speakers of the seminar titled Preventions of Violence against Women: Role of People, organized by Arooj-e-Mariam Catholic Church on the occasion of International day for the Elimination of Violence against women, call upon the government to: introduce laws for the elimination of violence against women, ensure implementation upon the existing laws for the protection of women and repeal discriminatory laws and customary practices against women. Father Nisar Barkat (Director-NCJP), Fr. Samuel George, Sister Angelina, Shagufta Advocate, Shazia George and Aqsa Kanwal were among the speakers of the seminar held at Centre for Peace and Harmony, in which over 100 people from different spheres of life participated. Father Nisar Barkat said, “ Violence against women give birth to violence in the society, so this is necessary to change over behaviors towards women, we all need to play our role for bringing about a positive societal change by discouraging and preventing violence against women at homes. Fr. Samuel George: said, Women are not permitted to make decisions of their own lives, and they have to face several restrictions imposed by the society”. This is the duty of all mankind to give equal rights to women so that they can play a better role in the prosperity of the county. Sister Angelina said, “It is responsibility of families to stop violence against women, because gender based violence leaves negative impacts not even on women victims, but on their children and families too”. Shazia George said, “Traditional violence against women is considered as a social right of men in our culture”. “All forms of violence against women are hindrance in the way of sustainable development of the society, so they should be eradicated to protect the rights of women”, she added. Shagufta Advocate said “Violence against women hurts women physically and mentally, and badly affects their dignity, self respect and self confidence”, there are laws present in Pakistan for the protection of women but there is no implementation, existing laws should be strictly implemented and laws containing gender based discrimination should be amended, she added. Aqsa Kanwal said “It is imperative for the elimination of violence against women that jirga system should be banned, system of police stations should be better, educational & technical institutions should be established for welfare of women and effective women shelters for victims of violence should be constituted”.