A women's conference organised by Sindhiani Tehreek in Hyderabad deplored the state of women in modern day Sindh.
The conference called for the establishment of a special court for women to ensure social justice. It also demanded the allocation of sports fields for girls at the Union Council level.
Additionally, the conference urged the abolition of discriminatory laws, such as those related to revenge (Qasas) and blood money (Diyat), and called for the creation of new laws and the establishment of women's police stations. Per tribal traditions, women are given in exchange for the settlement of blood feuds, which should be stopped.
The conference, aimed at promoting women's basic rights and awareness in Sindh, was organised by Sindhiani Tehreek at the Mehran Arts Council in Latifabad. The event was chaired by Zeenat Samoo, President of Sindhiani Tehreek, with Ayaz Latif Palijo, President of Qomi Awami Tehreek, serving as the special guest.
In his address, Palijo highlighted the vulnerable conditions for women and children in Sindh.
He criticized the ruling elite, the bureaucracy, religious and spiritual leaders and tribal chiefs for creating a perilous environment for women and children in the region.
Palijo noted that women in Sindh continue to suffer under outdated tribal systems. He pointed out the persistence of harmful practices such as honour killings (Karo Kari), marriage exchanges (Watta Satta), and forced and child marriages.
He emphasized that while the world has advanced technologically, Sindh remains mired in tribal oppression against women. "The retrogressive forces of ruling elite have kept women chained in the tribal customs of Stone Age."
The people in power enjoy impunity in their crimes against women and vulnerable communities. Palijo mentioned that influential individuals are involved in cases like Fatima, Priya, Jan Mehr, and Gadani, yet they remain untouchable by the law.
He concluded by describing the Sindhiani Tehreek Conference as a beacon of hope in a dark situation, asserting that for Pakistan to succeed, it is essential to protect and ensure equality for women and minorities.
Sindhiani Tehreek President Zeenat Samoo, stated that Sindh has become a graveyard for women, who are deprived of fundamental rights such as education and health. She criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led government for aiming to impoverish the women of Sindh rather than fostering their development. Samoo accused the PPP government of shielding the abductors of Priya Kumari and Fazila Sarki, while highlighting that when Yusuf Raza Gilani's son was kidnapped, extensive resources were used to recover him from Afghanistan. She claimed that the PPP is willing to make any deal to retain power.
General Secretary Nusrat Khaskheli remarked that nations treating women as slaves and property will remain subjugated. She emphasized that women are not weak but represent the greatest strength of society and the world. However, in Sindh, women are subjected to slavery-like conditions, with cases of kidnapping and murder. Khaskheli asserted that Sindh can only progress when women are granted basic human rights, education, and equality.
Central President of Sindhiani Shargird Tehreek, Rafia Palijo, stated that no nation can progress without providing higher education to girls. She emphasised that if every child in Sindh were educated, they would become beacons of knowledge for the region. Palijo noted that thousands of schools and colleges are closed in Sindh, leaving millions of children without access to education. She pointed out that Sindh lags behind Balochistan and Kashmir in educational development. According to Palijo, the current rulers intend to keep Sindh impoverished and deny girls education, while claiming to support women but instead making them poorer.
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