Acclaimed writer and the Ex-Federal Minister Javed Jabbar, and former Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Shaique Usmani said that it was a shared responsibility of society to struggle for socio-economic empowerment, and virtual equality of women with men, urging the youths to kick off vibrant social media campaigns, besides demonstrations, walks, and seminars to attract the attention of policy makers and the government towards the very issue. "Inequality between men and women is a global historic epidemic," Jabbar said adding man considers he is powerful and dominant over woman, and this issue is not restricted to Pakistan it's rampant and so deep rooted worldwide. Even women in developed societies like the America are victimised. "Perhaps, there is a natural defect behind this male chauvinism," he said.
Shaique Usmani on this occasion seemed more optimistic about future of women in Pakistan, saying great things have been taking place in the country's judicial and political environment during the last 15 years. A series of pro-women and pro-children laws have been passed by parliament. He also hailed Sindh Assembly law makers for their extensive legislations, particularly enacting 'early marriage restraint act." Passage of such laws in a country dominated by people with conservative approach, is more than a milestone, he said.
Usmani also called for more women judges in SHC, as presently there is only single women judge serving in the top provincial court, he said. PWFP Chairperson Nargis Rahman said despite the abysmal gender rankings in the International gender development reports, rankings that we may not agree with or accept, we still celebrate the stand Pakistani women have made achieving excellence and singular honour for Pakistan. We are proud of our Nobel laureate, nuclear physicists, Oscar winner, parliamentarian, fighter pilots, CEOs, major generals, mountain climbers, writers, teachers, artists, doctors, film makers engineers, entrepreneur, business and sports women and all our sisters who work tirelessly in the fields and slums of Pakistan 24/7, to keep their home fires burning.
Their achievements are indeed remarkable as women in Pakistan still contend with an insidious Tribo feudo patriarchal order, anti-woman social constructs, misogynistic tradition, weak governance, poor structural reforms and apathetic implementations of pro women legislation which is rarely translated into practice. Sharing surveys, she said that Bangladesh is 48th in the gender gap report. How did it earn that position after going through years of poverty corruption, poor governance, social backwardness and gender discrimination?
Stress was placed on women development programme in the field of education, entrepreneurship, population control, health imperatives, giving Bangladesh a rich dividend through its 57 percent women work force in the export based value added garments industries, raising the national GDP to 6.5 percent. The State Bank financial inclusion programme in the year 2000 to cultivate saving habits, has made 22 percent women become bank account holders. Around one hundred stalls featuring local hand made products like cloths; jewelry, crockery items, etc. were also showcased at the event.
Nadira Shaikh General Secretary (PWFP) Akran Khatoon Chancellor Jinnah University for Women, Komal Mohindra - a women entrepreneurship specialist, Tanveer Ahmad CEO Hands, Parsa Pathani from Thardeep Micrfinance Foundation, also spoke on this occasion. Two Students: Javaria Rais from Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari, and Sehrish Salamat from SM Law College also gave motivational speeches on women empowerment.