HYDERABAD: Rallies to mark International Women’s Day were organised on Friday by civil society organisations as well as government institutions and private entities in most cities and towns of Sindh to highlight women’s rights and their violation in the country.

In Hyderabad, Women Action Forum held a rally under the title of ‘Aurat Azadi March’ from Shahbaz Building Chowk to the local press club. It was led by Amar Sindhu, Arfana Mallah, Haseen Musarrat Shah, Zakia Brohi, Shahnaz Sheedi and others.

A stage was built on Miran Mohammad Shah Road for speakers to address the participants, who were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans calling for women’s legitimate rights. Peasant women among them joined rights activists in celebratory dance on the road during the march.

Speaking to the participants, celebrated writer Noorul Huda Shah said that “one must think where this society is heading to as women are murdered in cold blood”. Respectable men always respected their mothers and sisters, she said, and added that this could make this society a civilised one. She urged women to acquire knowledge of their fundamental rights.

Dr Arfana Mallah regretted that a young female law student was gunned down in Hyderabad recently by a man only because she declined to marry him.

Dusheela Junejo of the Women Democratic Front called for uniting all women rights activists for the cause of women empowerment. She supported introduction of fresh land reforms under which land could be distributed to landless peasant women.

Awami Workers Party leader Sanjha Channa claimed that Pakistan had become a dangerous country for women. Zaibun Nisa Mallah said that women would have to continue their struggle to ensure a just society.

Zahida Detho stressed that there must be an end to harassment. She said women were faced with a multifaceted crisis.

WAF leader Amar Sindhu said that women were showing awakening in Sindh and this was an encouraging sign. She said WAF was committed to upholding cause of women’s rights.

HRCP’s Ghufrana Arain, Zeenat Sindhi and others also spoke. Dr Dodo Mehri, Prof Imdad Chandio, Niaz Panhwar, Naz Sahito, Jami Chandio and Taj Joyo were prominent figures among those who attended the event.

In Larkana, a number of rallies were held in different cities and towns of Larkana district to mark the day.

A big procession was taken out from Bibi Aseefa Park near the Larkana railway station by women rights activists carrying banners and placards and raising slogans under the title of ‘Aurat Azadi March’. They marched through the main thoroughfares of the city and converged on Jinnahbagh, where Dr Ayesha Dharejo, Fauzia Singhar Noonari, Ambreen Bhutto and a host of other activists addressed them.

Female workers of Awami Workers Party presented a play based on Fahmida Riaz’s poetry to highlight woman’s multiple roles in society and depict the obstacle they are facing in society.

A group of trans people also gave a performance on a song sung by Abida Parveen and received applauds from the audience taking part in the rally.

Larkana’s oldest platform, Gomi Bai Ladies Club, hosted a programme organised by its chairperson Farida Pechuho and general secretary Dr Sakina Gaad. Different tableaux portraying women’s issues at their workplaces and educational institutions were presented.

In Sukkkur, a host of International Women’s Day rallies and other events were held in different cities and towns of Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kandhkot-Kashmore and Ghotki districts.

A big rally was taken out from St. Mary’s High School, Sukkur, which was led by the school’s Principal Sister Rosey.

Teachers and students carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans for women’s legitimate rights took part in the rally.

The STEP Foundation held a candlelight rally for women’s rights under the leadership of its chairperson Shaista Khoso.

A large number of women participants marched through various roads before reaching Dolphin Chowk to hold a demonstration.

In Khairpur, Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Nafeesa Shah’s message was read out at a programme held to mark the day.

She called for women empowerment and said it was important to provide all the resources and support for women’s participation in their business and commercial activities. This segment must be empowered economically, she stressed.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2024