PESHAWAR: Speakers at a literary function have called upon women writers to play role in bringing about a positive change in the society to combat modern day challenges and use their talent to raise awareness on social issues including rights of women and their responsibilities.

Addressing the launching ceremony of four new Pashto books written by women writers held at Bacha Khan Markaz here on Friday, the speakers threw light on the social, literary and political contributions rendered by women despite their domestic duties and suffocating cultural barriers.

Senior writers MR Shafaq, Prof Aslam Taseer, Abdul Subhan and Prof Zubair Hasrat and others were among the participants.

The newly-published Pashto titles included Maqbool Kalam (poetry), Da Mardan Pa Zila Ke Da Khazu Kaltori Rasmoona Auo Riwajoona (research), Zalanda Sabawoon (poetry) and Margale Na Tar Kabala (travelogue) penned down by Sajida Maqbool Tanha, Farzana Rasool Sanam, Kalsoomzeb and Iqbal Hussain Afkar respectively.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain, general secretary of Awami National Party (ANP), in his address pointed out that well in accordance with the vision of Bacha Khan, women should come forward to put their share to bring about a substantive change in the society as he wanted Pakhtun women to contribute and volunteer their services in building a functional and righteous society.

Four books of women writers launched

“It is a good omen that Pakhtun women have their own literary bodies which bring out their creative works. Bacha Khan used to say how could a society be completed without women’s participation” Mr Hussain stated.

Dr Roshan Kalim a poet and social activist said that women still had many social and cultural obstacles in their way but those who struggled hard with or without support of their families deserved kudos.

She said despite their domestic duties and issues, women actively participated in literary, research and political activities and it was responsibility of men to provide more space to womenfolk in decision making so that they could become empowered and self-reliant.

Fazal Momand, a noted writer, said that launching of new books by women would send out a positive message for others to follow.

Mehar Andish, another writer, said that women writers should be encouraged so that they could exhibit their hidden qualities and contribute to social, cultural and political issues. “The research work on cultural traditions of women in district Mardan is in fact a perfect reflection of Farzana’s (writer of one of the newly launched books) deep insight and hard work,” he said.

Kalsoomzeb, chief of Da Khwendy Adabi Lakhkar (KHAL), in her remarks said that Bacha Khan Markaz should open a library where literary and research works of women writers could be displayed, adding that their quality books should also be published and marketed.

Prof Samiuddin Arman, Zeba Afridi, Dr Nargis Ada, Sardar Yousafzai and Abdul Hameed Zahid also spoke at the event.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2020