December 05, 2008	Friday	Zilhaj 6, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: Women’s access and control over land was vital for protecting their social, political, cultural and economic entitlements.

This was stated by rural women on the occasion of the national culmination of ‘HungerFREE Women Charter Journeys’ organised by ActionAid and partner organisations where women’s right to land was highlighted.

Federal Minister and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme Farzana Raja commended women farmers’ struggle and hard work within homes and in the fields. She encouraged rural women to get their national identity cards so that they could benefit from government schemes.

“Women’s right to work, earn equal wages and own land and property is in accordance with the Islamic ideology and the constitution of the country. Yet social taboos and patriarchal systems force women to remain a third category citizen. Women living in villages must get their registration done so that government schemes can directly benefit them,” she said.

Speaking on the occasion, Member of Sindh Assembly from PPP Humera Alvani stressed the need for education of women in bringing a change to their social and economic position.

“Since the food crisis erupted in the country, we have noticed an increase in girls’ dropout rate in interior Sindh. This is a dangerous indication. If women have control over land, they will manage their income in a better way and their children will have access to food, education and health facilities.”

While hinting at Punjab government’s commitment to empower poor women peasants, Member of Punjab Assembly of PML-N Shumaila Rana encouraged women farmers.

“We are accountable and responsible for the poor people, especially poor women in Punjab. PML-N will do all it can to ensure women’s right to land and improvement in the social, economic and political status.”

Rural women from all across the country shared their experiences of participating in the HungerFREE Charter Journeys and their learning and challenges. They also presented before the house their demands.

Meerzadi, a woman farmer from district Johi, Sindh, said: “We are the key players in the country’s agricultural sector, giving equal, often more input than men in sowing, weeding, and harvesting.

We do the house chores and sacrifice our personal needs to meet family’s needs, yet there is no recognition of our hard work. We are not involved in decision-making about the sale and purchase of crops or the selling and owning of land.”

She said their children could not go to school, and they did not have enough to eat, and traditions like ‘honour killing’ were further adding to their marginalisation and suffering.

Simi Devi, a Hindu woman from Rahimyar Khan, said: “Women from the Hindu community face multiple discriminations both at the hands of the family and society. We are equal citizens of the country and must be given our due entitlements. We deserve education, health, jobs, food and shelter. We have gathered in Islamabad today to demand that government revise its agriculture policy and ensure equitable and just distribution of land among landless peasant women, particularly women from the minority groups.”

Another participant Munawar Bibi, who is also a member of a grassroots movement Anjuman-i-Mazareen Punjab while sharing her experiences said their ancestors had worked on the land as tenants for over a hundred years, yet they had not an inch of land in their names. When the crop is harvested, the landlord takes almost half of it away.

Representatives of a number of development organisations such as Peace Balochistan, JAAG Welfare Movement, Pakistan Welfare Society, Hirrak Development Centre, Awam Dost Foundation, Human Development Centre, Women Workers’ Helpline, Sindh Graduates Association, Village Shadabad, NGO Development Society and Badin Rural Development Society participated in the event.