LAHORE, March 17: Heinrich Boll Stiftung and Shirkatgah – Women’s Resource Centre held an international conference on “Women, religion and politics” at a local hotel on Thursday to mark 100 years of International Women’s Day. The two-day conference is the last in a series of events exploring the gender dimensions of various religious and political paradigms and their impact on women’s lives in Pakistan and across the world.

Distinguished international scholars including Yesim Arat from Turkey, Magdalena Mosiewicz from Poland, Dr. Hema Goonatilake from Sri Lanka, Ms. Homa Hoodfar from Iran, Professor Deirdre Good from USA, and Roshan Dhunjibhoy from Germany are participating in the conference to present papers on challenges faced by women in relation to religion and politics.

Speakers from Pakistan include former special assistant to the prime minister on social sector Shahnaz Wazir Ali, MNA Bushra Gohar, Heinrich Boll Stiftung Country Director Britta Petersen, Shirkatgah CEO Khawar Mumtaz, Shirkatgah Research Director and UN independent expert in the field of cultural rights, Farida Shaheed, Sheen Farrukh, Sahar Gul, Ayesha Tammy Haq, Neelam Husain, Dr Rubina Saigol, Nabiha Meher Sheikh, Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, Nishat Kazmi, Justice (retd) Metha Kailash Nath Koli, Dr Anita Mir and Naeem Shakir.

The conference was attended by people from all walks of life including academics, civil society representatives, students, media men and human rights activists.

Britta Petersen welcomed participants on behalf of HBS and. Khawar Mumtaz provided background of International Women’s Day, highlighting its political significance.

Anne Jenichen from Germany presented findings of a United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) study, focussing on the functions religion assumed in different national and cultural contexts, their implications for women and the role of democracy in helping women defend their rights against conservative interpretations of religion.

Farida Shaheed from Shirkat Gah delivered the key-note address exploring the challenges posed to gender equality. In her address, Shaheed explored in detail parameters of the relationship between religion and state power.

Negative impact of Catholic Church on democracy and women’s rights in Poland was highlighted by Magdalena Mosiewicz. She said significant progress had been made during the last three years in undermining the church’s negative influence as evident in victories of human rights groups in legislative domains.

Shahnaz Wazir Ali spoke about numerous challenges faced by Pakistani women politicians. MNA Bushra Gohar talked about women achievements in Pakistan politics and strategies for creating spaces for women in political parties and the parliament.