The Department of Sociology at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan held a one day national seminar at IBL Hall Garden Campus on 5 December 2025 to address digital violence against women and girls as part of the global UNiTE 16 Days of Activism campaign. The event brought together academics, civil society and students to discuss prevention, research and institutional responsibility on issues of online harassment and abuse.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Azam Khan Dean Faculty of Business and Economics attended as chief guest and offered opening remarks, welcoming the invited speakers and participants. The seminar featured a distinguished panel including Dr. Minhas Majeed Khan Chairperson International Relations University of Peshawar and Member Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women, Dr. Riffat Sardar former Chairperson Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women, Ms. Saima Munir Program Manager Aurat Foundation, Mr. Muhammad Zakriya Program Manager UNFPA, Dr. Rabia Ombudsperson KP, Ms. Shabina Gulzar Team Lead British Council Pakistan and Mr. Ikram Ullah Khan Principal Research Officer Center of Excellence for CVE KP.
Dr. Noor Jehan Associate Professor of Economics at AWKUM presented an empirical research study that examined patterns and impacts of digital violence against women and girls, highlighting both online harassment trends and policy gaps. The seminar was organized by Dr. Hussain Ali and attended by university leadership including Dr. Tariq Mehmood Director ORIC and Dr. Ahmad Ali Chairperson Sociology, along with male and female faculty members and more than 165 students from various departments.
The discussion reinforced the need for sustained campus level awareness, academic inquiry and coordinated institutional responses to digital violence and related gender based harms. Dr. Ahmad Ali shared closing remarks and thanked the panelists and participants, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Azam Khan presented shields to guest speakers in recognition of their contributions to the dialogue.
