27 literacy centres established for women across Matiari

At least 27 literacy centres have been established with the aim to empower women across 10 villages in various regions of the Matiari district.

Addressing a ceremony, Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) Head, Javed Hussain, emphasised the pivotal role of women's literacy in fostering a healthy and prosperous society.

Under the initiative, known as the Suhaee Literacy Centres, 350 women cotton workers have been enrolled across the Matiari district. Hussain proudly announced that in previous years, 359 women successfully completed a six-month literacy course, enabling them to apply their newfound skills in their daily lives.

Hussain reiterated the organisation's dedication to providing rural women, particularly those engaged in agriculture, with essential literacy, numeracy, and basic reading and writing skills, citing the positive impact witnessed in the lives of women thus far.

Looking ahead, he outlined plans to enrol an additional 925 women in the comprehensive six-month literacy programme, expressing confidence that it would equip them with essential skills and confidence to bring about tangible improvements in their lives.

He highlighted the programme's focus on empowering women to understand the rights they have as labourers and negotiate fairer wages, ultimately leading to enhanced incomes and improved quality of life for them and their families.

Moreover, the 350 current literacy trainees are expected to share the knowledge and skills acquired through the programme with other women in their trade unions and villages, further supporting efforts to secure fairer wages for all women cotton pickers.

A social mobilisation officer, Zubaida Turk, emphasised the crucial role of women cotton workers in driving the textile industry's growth while highlighting their plight regarding unfair wages and working conditions.