Women’s conference kicks off

Sessions held on gender bias, women’s health

KARACHI:

The third Women’s Conference, a two-day event, got off on Thursday with a colourful start at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. The students of Arts Council Music Academy played a great drum circle which added to the charm of the opening ceremony.

On the first day of the conference, sessions on gender discrimination, women’s health, theater and musical performances were presented.

Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmad Shah said, “we try to bring forward the soft image of Pakistan before the world,” and added that but unfortunately this image will remain blurred until half of the population of Pakistan has full rights.

In her keynote address, freelance journalist Zubeida Mustafa said that the door is now open for women. “Women are also flying planes now. The progress that has been made must be seen. We are still far behind in the field of education,” she said.

Renowned writer Noorul Huda Shah said that a society which stands on the corpses of girls cannot develop. “We are going to college and university, but the things are not so beautiful for a woman,” Shah said explaining the harassment women face whenever they step outside the homes.

Even at homes their lives are not safe. Women are slain in the name of so-called Karo-Kari or honour killing, she said.

Anis Haroon, Qudsia Akbar, Mehnaz Rehman, Prof. Ijaz Farooqi and others also spoke while Dr. Huma Mir hosted the event.

Media mogul Sultana Siddiqui said that I have always talked about women’s rights. Nothing can happen unless you change your mind. A society or home cannot be economically strong until its women are economically strong.

Aurat Foundation Resident Director Mehnaz Rehman said that no country can develop unless its women are empowered. Poet Fatima Hassan said: “I am basically a poet and today I will only recite poetry.” She recited her poems to the audience.

Sadiqa Salahuddin said being an educationist she sees girls wanting to be something. Girls are not allowed to fulfill their dreams. She urged people to sacrifice their egos for the happiness of your daughters.

Ijaz Ahmad Farooqi said that he understands the atrocities taking place in the backward areas. The children who are groomed by education are confident. The future of our daughters is bright. There are 75 per cent female students in Karachi University.

Expressing gratitude, ACP Fine Arts Committee Chairperson Qudsia Akbar said, “our religion gives women utmost respect. If men and women work together, the economy will grow. All that is needed is a change of heart.”

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho, Dr.Ayesha Mian, Dr Huma Hassan, Dr Rubina Hussain and Hina Umbereen Tariq expressed their views in the session on Women’s Health: Physical, Mental, while Kausar S Khan officiated.

Dr Pechuho said women do not speak up for their rights, which is a matter of concern. She said family planning is the most important issue concerning Pakistan women’s health.

Dr Ayesha Mian said, ‘‘we do not consider mental health as a part of health. If a woman is pregnant, she should be kept happy. Any type of stress can be detrimental to both mother and child’’.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2022.