Activists, MPAs stress empowering women at grassroots level

MPA's propose the establishment of a forum for sensitising, capacity building of women entering politics

KARACHI: Members of the Aurat Foundation expressed their resolve to continue working towards uplifting the status of women in Pakistan, while attending a ceremony organised to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the body.

Speaking on the occasion, regional director of the foundation's Sindh chapter Mahnaz Rahman shed light on the hurdles the activists were facing in working towards the cause of empowering women. "I hope that members of the civil society come forward and help [us] overcome these challenges," she said.

Malka Khan, a senior member of the Aurat Foundation, shared details of various ongoing projects undertaken by the body, including 'Jazba', focused on grooming female political workers at the grassroots level. She said various projects, aimed at socially empowering women, particularly those working in small-scale industries and from homes, were also underway. These projects have been initiated to enhance the "bargaining power of those who often remain heard," she added. Khan also spoke about a project aimed at improving government-owned shelter homes in different cities of Sindh.

The activists lamented that despite the Aurat Foundation having a long history of serving the community, an application for the renewal of its registration was pending for almost a year.

‘Women empowerment to end poverty’

Later, they paid tributes to Nigar Ahmed and Shahla Zia, two of the most notable members of the Aurat Foundation.

The activists were joined by members of the Sindh Assembly, including both from opposition and treasury benches, who appreciated the efforts of the Aurat Foundation towards making lawmakers realise their responsibilities over the years. They acknowledged that several public-friendly laws and those pertaining to the security and empowerment of women were floated on the floor of the house following Aurat Foundation's initiatives to sensitise the legislators regarding the issues of the vulnerable and the unheard.

Addressing the ceremony, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA Adeeba Hassan and Muttahida Qaumi Movement MPA Rana Ansar proposed the establishment of a forum for sensitising and capacity building of women entering politics. "This will pave the way for empowering emerging politicians and will enhance their understanding of lawmaking and proper implementation of laws," opined Hassan, observing that effective enforcement of laws in the province continued to be a challenging task. She hailed Sindh Commission on the Status of Women Chairperson Nuzhat Shirin for playing a significant role in empowering female legislators and enabling them to rise above their political affiliations and work collectively for the welfare of vulnerable segments of the society.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2020.