LODHRAN: I wish I was born in today’s times, so I could enjoy life and play cricket with girls here in the village, women’s rights activist Mukhtaran Mai said on Tuesday at a cricket match between girl students of Amna Public High School and Faiz Ahmad Faiz Public School at Lodhran Pilot Project (LPP).

The match was organised as part of International Women’s Day activities. On the occasion, LPP Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdul Saboor said: “We all share the responsibility of building a balanced world for women where their empowerment is recognised and celebrated. It is time to realise and commemorate women’s strengths and abilities contributing to the success of the entire society. A society is better when women are given equal respect and equal potential.”

The women cricket players are part of the LPP’s Sports for Development Initiative, which is not only teaching girls technical skills of cricket, but also helping them learn important life skills such as leadership, resilience, confidence building and team work. The team from Amna Public School won the match.

Guests of honour at the ceremony were Lodhran Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue (ADCR) Humera Irshad, Assistant Commissioner Lateef Khan, Mukhtaran Mai, All Pakistan Women Association Punjab Chief Operating Officer Dur-i-Shahwar, activist Zahra Sajjad Zaidi, Society of Special Persons Multan Chairperson Zahida Hameed, representatives from local education and health departments, professors from Govt Girls Degree College and teachers from the participating schools.

Mukhtaran Mai inaugurated the match by throwing the first ball. She appreciated the young players, saying: “I appreciate these young girls that they are playing and exercising their right to play and engage in sports. I am glad that they are learning new skills to be strong women. I am fighting for justice for the last 17 years and whenever I get disappointed, the thought of helping and saving young girls becomes my greatest strength. I want to see young girls rise as strong women who can stand against adversity and fight for justice and equality.”

She told Dawn that she was still struggling and waiting for justice in her case, adding that her case had now been fixed for March 27 in the Supreme Court. When asked if she expected justice, she said she wasn’t sure.

Dur-i-Shahwar, who travelled from Lahore to participate in the women’s day celebrations in Lodhran, said: “It’s a delight to see young girls playing with this enthusiasm and confidence outside their schools. The LPP has taken this wonderful initiative to promote girls’ sports with life skills education. While admiring these young girls we remember all the strong women around the world and women in Pakistan who have been struggling against inequality and injustice.”

Assistant Commissioner Khan and ADCR Irshad appreciated the LPP’s initiative and girls’ performance. Ms Irshad said: “My message for parents is to educate their daughters and give them confidence to thrive in society. An educated and confident woman can be a better citizen and useful part of society”.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2019