International Day of Rural Women: Artisans showcase their work

ISLAMABAD:

Women from Sindh and the northern areas garbed in colourful traditional clothing proudly displayed their handiwork at an event marking International Day of Rural Women at Lok Virsa on Sunday.

The aim of the event was to feature master artisans from all over the country to showcase and promote indigenous art.

Stalls displaying embroidery from Multan, Bahawalpur and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and hand-painted wood and clay decorations including handmade jewellery, attracted many of the young women in attendance.

“I travel by bus every year, it’s a long journey but I make good sales here so it’s worth it,” said Bibi Gul, who showed off her neatly stitched neon neck embroidery. The stalls were mainly set up by NGOs working to promote women’s empowerment.

However, arts and crafts were not the only attraction at the festival. The inauguration consisted of audio and visual presentations by various NGOs and other organisations, discussions on the socioeconomic status of rural women, and even a folk musical concert that had local rural women singing and dancing to traditional folk songs from their regions.

“People think rural women are backward and conservative, but it’s all about awareness. Once these women realise that they can fend for themselves they become very participative and are not shy to come forward,” said Samina Nazir, chairperson of Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy.

The festival-cum-conference will conclude on Monday with the finalisation of a manifesto for rural women and presentation of awards.

The participants will also pass a resolution suggesting necessary steps for the empowerment of rural women.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2012.