HYDERABAD: Civil society and non-governmental organisations, political parties, aca­de­mic institutions and government depart­ments organised various programmes to mark the International Women’s Day in several Sindh towns on Thursday.

A group of civil society organisations held a colourful programme at Sindh Museum in Hyderabad where women and girls presented tableaus, traditional songs and speeches to highlight services of women in society.

Speakers at the programme, including Qaumi Awami Tehreek president Ayaz Latif Palijo, educationist Parveen Munshi, civil society activist Zahid Thebo and others, stressed the need for ensuring women’s rights.

A large number of farmers and fishermen under the banner of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) took out a rally to mark the day. The participants demanded climate finance and gender-responsive climate change policy in Sindh.

“I want to salute fishing men and women and farmers. Gender-specific impact of climate change should be researched and government needs to formulate a gender-responsive climate change policy,” said PFF chairperson Mohammad Ali Shah.

Young folk singer Khushboo Leghari and Soho Leghari sang traditional songs and presented dance to pay tribute to rural women who fed the world but faced food security issues.

Social activist Zulfiqar Halepoto, educationist Ismail Kumbhar and civil society activist Punhal Sario also took part in the rally.

Students of Institute of Gender Studies, University of Sindh, staged a walk for women’s rights, which was led by SU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Mohammad Burfat.

Dr Burfat said that true liberation of women could come from their socio-economic and gender emancipation initiatives. Only an annual celebration was not enough to ensure women’s importance in society, he said.

Women Action Forum activist Dr Arfana Mallah highlighted reasons behind society’s failure to empower women, who constituted 49 per cent of total population.

NAWABSHAH: The Nawabshah women development department organised a seminar on the day to create awareness among women about their rights.

The speakers at the moot said that it was the need of the hour that women were made aware of their rights so that they could face the world.

They said that women were still facing injustice in society. They must be given equal share in jobs and political parties, they said.

DADU: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Liaquat Ali Jatoi has said that women’s role has always remained important and positive in the development of society.

He was speaking at a gathering of the party’s women activists on the occasion of Women’s Day. PTI had always raised issues of women and stood for their rights, he said.

UMERKOT: The first women police station was inaugurated here on Thursday to coincide with Woman’s Day.

Mirpurkhas DIG Mazhar Nawaz Sheikh and human rights activist Iqbal Detho said at the inauguration ceremony that women police were in a better position to help victims of early marriages, honour killings and domestic violence.

They said that women police station was a gift for women of the district. Women police officials could prove to be a strong voice for victimised women, they said.

SHO Khush Bakht who took charge of the police station vowed to put in her best efforts to help all vulnerable sections of society.

MIRPURKHAS: Speakers at a seminar at DIG police complex held to mark the International Women’s Day called for protection of rights of women and children.

DIG Mazhar Nawaz Shaikh had organised the event in collaboration with a number of NGOs.

The DIG said that 1108 help-line had been set up in Mirpurkhas to provide succour to women and children in distress.

SSP Mohammad Usman Bajwa said that those who subjected helpless women to torture should be awarded exemplary punishment.

Law expert Iqbal Detho said that medical officer was bound to provide first aid to a patient and then he should himself contact police for letter.

Mirpurkhas Commissioner Shafique Ahm­ed Mahesar said that committees had been formed to check national identity cards of bride and groom if their age was found to be less than 18 years and stop such marriages.

SANGHAR: Speakers at a programme organised by Awami Workers Party to mark Women’s Day said that women were the worst victims of ‘hegemonic’ capitalist system.

The party activists said that no relief could come to any segment of society under the prevalent capitalist system. They would continue their struggle for the rights of working class, including women, they said.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2018