“Women in Pakistan do not only require a favourable working environment but also need equal access to opportunities,” said ILO’s Officer In-charge Margret Reade Rounds.
A documentary Women of Courage, depicting the life and struggle of such women from different walks of life, was shown.
Funded by the Canadian International Development Agency’s project to promote gender equality, the documentary focused on women role models who have “achieved the extraordinary through sheer perseverance and determination.”
“After knowing what these courageous women have been through, one realises what struggle really is,” said the director, Fatima Ali.
A photographic exhibition was also organised on the occasion depicting the struggle of women in various fields, ranging from agriculture to security forces.
Renowned filmmaker and activist Samar Minallah, actor and artist Jamal Shah and National College of Arts’ faculty member Dr Murtaza Jaffery were the jurors at the exhibition.
Raheel Shah, Khaleel Shah and Khalilur Rehman Wali received the first, second and third prize respectively. Other photographs selected for the exhibition included “Breaking Barriers” by Naved Akram, “The roads less travelled” by Gulam Rasool, “When I grow up” by Saad Iqbal and “Lifecycle” by Naveed Gulzeb.
Jamal Shah said, “Art is the most effective and harmless means of communication. It has the power to bring changes in the society and encourage people to contribute positively in life.”
Later two young acrobats from Lucky Irani Circus, Shaheen and Naheed, enthralled the audience by giving spectacular performances on stage.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2011.
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