UN Women and the Aurat Foundation step it up for gender equality
Date:
Islamabad, Pakistan – On 8 March 2016 a number of Pakistani women who have excelled in all walks of life were invited to a joint event by UN Women and the USAID supported Gender Equity Program (GEP) of the Aurat Foundation. The event marked the International Women’s Day and celebrated the achievement of ladies who have made Pakistan proud.
The UN Women theme for the International Women’s Day ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for Gender Equality’ fit well with the accomplishments of the outstanding women who participated at the event.
Chief Operating Officer of Aurat Foundation Mr. Naeem Mirza delivered remarks on the occasion and expressed admiration for the immense resilience and potential of Pakistani women, and discussed their struggle for equality within the context of global women’s movements. UN Women Country Representative Mr. Jamshed M. Kazi in his remarks said that the year 2015 was the start of the newly endorsed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by all nations with an even more urgent and accelerated drive for gender equality and women’s empowerment. “Reaching Planet 50-50 is everyone’s business.
I would like to invite men and boys to join women and girls everywhere on International Women’s Day and say NO to discrimination and violence against women” he said. Mr. Kazi further highlighted the role that women play towards nation-building and driving change in public, private and societal settings, and acknowledged Pakistani women who remain “unsung heroes”.
Beneficiaries of GEP and UN Women gave testimonies of their experiences. Attiya, a home-based worker from Rawalpindi said that despite being educated, she was unaware of labor laws until she received training from GEP. Due to facing family problems some years ago, the responsibility of supporting her four children fell on her shoulders. The circumstances forced her to work in the informal packaging business at her own house, however she employed two other women, and soon her husband joined the business too. Under one of GEP’s projects she was trained in the ILO Convention, the rights of home based workers and laws against harassment in the workplace. “This training gave me and my co-workers the courage to raise our voices for our rights. We realized how dangerous silence can be” she said.
Fazeelat from Kasur, a beneficiary of UN Women’s economic empowerment program told the audience that she had transformed from a home-based worker into an independent entrepreneur. As one of nine siblings, she had to leave her matric studies as she could not afford her school fees. She was forced to take a teaching job with salary as low as RS 1000, however she benefitted from awareness and skills training from UN Women supported Home Net Pakistan (HNP) at the work place. Understanding her status as a home based worker, and with the help of UN Women’s intervention, she started her own community based organization called Jazba, and now runs a successful business of handbags and school bags. She thanked UN Women by saying “I am very grateful to UN Women’s help which has allowed me to employ women who make embroidery and baskets”.
A powerful theatrical performance touched the audience by showing how a woman facing gender based violence found strength to empower herself.
Then a panel of six Pakistani women who have broken gender barriers in their fields discussed what needs to be done to obtain gender equality in Pakistan. Ms. Sana Mahmoud, the captain of the National Women’s Basketball team and player on the National Women’s Football Team, said that more needs to be done to create safe public space for women so that they can feel free of harassment and disturbance. The first Pakistani woman and the youngest Muslim to summit Mount Everest at the age of 21, Ms. Samina Baig, pointed out that gender equality starts at home from a very young age. “Mothers raise sons. Equality starts when men are boys. Don’t save the best meat for the boy as he is considered special. It should be shared equally amongst siblings regardless of gender” she said.
Ms. Nazish Brohi, a researcher and consultant who is well-known for her contributions to the struggle for equal rights and social action, said that “If you look at it from a distance, you can’t see much change. However, if you look at it at a more microscopic level, you will see change. Women 30-40 years ago did not have much choice, now they do”.
The veteran TV director, producer and actress, Ms. Misbah Khalid, stated that men need to be included in the process of reaching gender equality. “It’s all about educating the women, but also about educating men. In fact, educating men more than women on this issue”.
Ms. Bina Sultan, a well-known clothes designer told the audience about her struggles of being a single mother and business woman. “As a single mother it is hard to get accepted in the society. Even if you work hard and achieve something, even then you are only accepted by some”.
Ms. Humera Azam Khan has been serving as Joint Secretary Administration at the Ministry of Human Rights since 2014. She stressed that “Until women come forward in the public sector and in policy making decisions, we will never go from a developing country to a developed one”. When encouraged to share a message with the audience she said; “Find your voice and use it!”
Concluding remarks were given by, Senator Razina Alam, Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Development, who stressed that more needs to be done to create awareness of women’s rights. “Women do not lack capabilities, women of Pakistan are fully equipped with talent, intellect and intelligence. But women are exploited when they don’t know their rights” she said.
The event ended by a lively musical performance from the Lahore based band ‘Gypsy Group’ where the female lead singer shared the story of how she had to fight for her right to become a performer. Her family did not approve of her choice of profession, but she never gave up and was proud to perform in front of the crowd on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
A vote of thanks was given by Ms. Anjum Riazulhaq, a member of the board of governors of the Aurat Foundation. She concluded by thanking everyone for taking the time to participate and said “it is because of you the women’s movement can continue to go forward”.
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Please contact:
Henriette Bjoerge
Communications and Advocacy Officer, UN Women Pakistan.
E-mail: [ Click to reveal ]