Women’s day inspires action against gender bias: CM

Sindh govt backs women empowerment, workplace safety

KARACHI:

International Women's Day will be celebrated in Karachi like all over the country today [Tuesday].

Seminars, conferences and other programmes on women's rights and issues will be organised by women's organizations, political and religious parties, trade unions and civil society. Walks and rallies will also be held on this day.

Sindh Minister for Women Development Syeda Shehla Raza will lead a women's march from Arts Council Chowk to Karachi Press Club on Tuesday at 2pm under Sindh Government Department for Women Development.

The main event under the Women's March will be held at Bagh-e-Jinnah opposite the Quaid-i-Azam mausoleum. Sheema Kirmani, a member of the organising committee of the Women's March, said that the slogan of the Women's March was "Wages, Security and Peace".

CM's Message

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on the eve of International Women's Day said that women's day is celebrated for women's rights and to inspire people to act for gender equality.

The CM said that the day offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extra ordinary role in the history of their country and communities.

While highlighting the global importance of the day CM Murad said that this year, the inspiring campaign theme of United Nation is 'Break the Bias' which highlights the importance of challenging biases and misconception in the interest of creating a more inclusive and gender-equal work.

Syed Murad Ali Shah further said that the UN has also issued a 2022 theme 'Gender Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.' The UN 2022 theme is celebrating girls and women who are leading the charge towards a more sustainable future and climate change response efforts.

CM Murad extended his heartfelt felicitation to all the women in the province on this day over the establishment of the institution of Ombudsman for "The protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace," which is determined to prove harassment free working environment to women in public as well as private sector of the Province.

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Minister for Women Development Department Government of Sindh Syed Shehla Raza, on the eve of International Women Day said that she believes that women will overcome every odd that is meant to curb her freedom to breathe in healthy environment at workplace.

She said that the celebration of 8th March as International Women's Day to honour and recognise the contributions women made in the world. Raza said that this day reminds us of our importance in the growth of society and we as human beings with different physical descriptions will not allow natural physical changes to be used as base for discrimination.

The Institution of Ombudsman for The Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace was established in Sindh, to provide congenial environment to women by meting out punishment to the elements involved in the act of sexual harassment.

Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Sindh Ombudsman Justice (retd) Shahnawaz Tariq said on the eve of International Women Day that let us knock the 8th Day of March as the Women's Day just to show respect to women for their commendable role and untiring efforts in building better society, nation and world. He said that this is an occasion to highlight those exceptional accomplishments through which women have made mark in every walk of life and displayed their efficiency, dedication and commitment.

"On this day, let us reaffirm our pledge to ensure safety and respect for women to encourage them to move forward unhindered according to their wish in the direction of fulfilling their hopes and aspirations," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2022.