LAHORE: Police stop women from taking out processions
By Our Reporter
LAHORE, March 8: Women were prevented from taking out processions on the International Women's Day here on Monday. A number of women organizations had announced taking out of processions from the Lahore Press Club and march to The Mall.
Police reached the press club and prevented the oragnizers from taking out processions.
The Women Workers Helpline, the All-Pakistan Minorities Alliance and the Workers Rights Alliance could hold demonstrations and display banners and placards outside the club due to the refusal of the police to allow them to take out the processions.
Addressing a rally organized by the Women's Wing of the All-Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions outside the Labour Hall on Nisbet Road, federation secretary-general Khurshid Ahmad said 40 per cent women in the world were participating in the struggle for earning a livelihood.
He said 555 million people in the world were earning one dollar a day. Of them 60 per cent were women. Another 35.8 million men and women between 15 and 24 years had lost all hopes of getting an employment.
The National Workers Party, Pakistan People's Party, Pakistan Labour Federation and Joint Action Committee for People's Rights also held the International Women's Day meetings at different places.
RALLY: Meanwhile, the Government Fatima Jinnah College, Chuna Mandi, the ASR Resource Centre and women councillors of the area took out a rally inside the walled city.
They were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of women empowerment. They demanded repeal of Hudood Ordinance and other discriminatory laws against women. They distributed over 4,000 pamphlets among people.
