'Literate cotton picker women can fight for rights'

The Sindh Community Foundation (SCF), in collaboration with its partner organisations, organised a seminar in Matiari on the eve of International Literacy Day to highlight the importance of literacy in safeguarding rights and promoting decent work. The event focused on how literacy can protect women cotton workers, who often face wage discrimination and exploitation due to a lack of education.

Javed Hussain, representing SCF, opened the seminar by noting Pakistan's literacy rate of 62.3%, with Sindh, particularly its women, trailing behind at just 51%. He stressed the urgent need for a unified effort from the government, NGOs, and the private sector to improve literacy rates, particularly among rural women. Hussain also celebrated the success of 438 women cotton workers from 14 villages in Matiari who recently completed a six-month literacy programme at Suhaee Literacy Centres.

He stressed the importance of adult education, urging the government to resume programmes to empower more women with essential reading and writing skills.

Other speakers, including women rights activist Shahnaz Sheedi and labour leader Taj Maree, and Additional Director of the Social Welfare Department, District Matiari, Rafeeq Jamali, echoed the transformative impact of literacy on confidence and empowerment, particularly in negotiating for fair wages and better working conditions.

Naseem Mallah, a cotton picker who participated in the literacy programme, shared her experience, saying: "Earlier, I couldn't even write my name or read a clock. Now, I can tell time and write my name. I have gained confidence to advocate for fair wages and labour rights and all credit goes to the literacy classes programme."