PESHAWAR: The women poets here on Thursday expressed their feelings and thoughts through their poems depicting their woes as well as hope for a better future on International Women’s Day.

The poetry session was organised by Noor Education Trust, Takrha Qabaili Khwenday (Tribal Women’s Network) and Karwan -- a group of women writers -- at a woman-owned restaurant in Hayatabad to mark the day.

“I am reciting few of my verses after a gap of 19 years. Long ago my brother-in-law tore my diary and said that poetry was not for good women. But today I will share my verses with you,” said Ayesha Bibi, hailing from Mohmand Agency.

Her poetry depicts as to how a girl, since her childhood, faces gender discrimination when it comes to food, play, education and other basic rights. A girl is not treated equally like a boy and this treatment further goes from her family to society.

Zaiba Afridi said that she as a woman should not be treated any lesser than a man as she also hailed from the borderland and rugged mountains. Her life is not less valuable than a man’s.

Roshan Kaleem, a poet with a sensitive soul, tried to show the picture of the society where a woman from a childhood faced harassment, discrimination, bias, violence and maltreatment at every level.

Samina Qadir, another writer, shared how throughout history women suffered. She spoke about sacrifices of women in history.

Shahida, an outspoken poet, gave different examples from the history of women, who suffered or were sacrificed.

From Benazir Bhutto to Malala Yousfzai, the women, who were targeted, were remembered in her verses.

Mamarha Afridi, a college student, expressed her resolve as a young woman to do something for her people and be remembered alongside great leaders.

The participants including women from different fields and ages observed the day by expressing their views in their verses while the listeners appreciated the poets.

Meanwhile, young women at another function held at Directorate of Youth Affairs observed International Women’s Day by watching a feminist and thought provoking movie.

Directorate of Youth Affairs organised a ‘movielogue’ for young women to mark the day at Jawan Markaz, Qayyum Stadium Peshawar.

The event was meant to commemorate the movement for women’s rights through screening a movie “Mona Lisa Smile”.

After the movie session, forum was opened for discussion on the message of the movie.

During the discussion, the participants stressed the need for gender integration and women inclusion in social, economic and political development of the region.

“Movielogue is the unique initiative to highlight significance of the day and to provide space to young women to celebrate it. It encouraged them to speak their minds,” said Dr Fouzia Afridi, one of the participants.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2018