KARACHI, March 8: “Everybody knows women are being exploited, the need is to stand up and fight back against all oppressive forces. My dream is to disseminate education, build more and more schools so that we can make a better society.” This was said Mukhtaran Mai at a function held at the Karachi Press Club to honour her on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Mukhataran Mai, who has become a symbol of hope for all oppressed people, was invited to the KPC to acknowledge her quest for justice. She was presented an ajrak, a KPC insignia and also nominated for the club’s life membership. Two other gang rape survivors, Naseema Lubano and Kianat Soomro, were also present at the gathering. They were all presented with ajrak.

Mukhtaran Mai expressed gratitude to all those who supported her in her struggle and said that people need to get united to resolve women’s problems. She said three schools had been opened from the money she had received from different organisations and she would like to open more in remote areas. She had also opened a women’s crisis centre and a health clinic in her village.

While the programme was in progress at the club, a demonstration was held women of Jamat-i-Islami outside the club against women’s protection bill and women ‘propagating western agendas.’ This was also a food for thought to the guests.

Addressing the gathering, President Karachi Press Club Sabihuddin Ghausi appreciated Mukhtaran’s struggle and said she had challenged the system of this country. He said that the incidents of gang rape were linked to the feudal mindset of society that needed to be changed. He criticised the people who were opposing Mukhtaran’s efforts and questioned: “What kind of Islam stops people from giving respect to others.”

Senior journalist Zubaida Mustafa said the greatest achievement of Mukhtaran was that since 2002, when the rape took place, no punchayat had been held in her village.

Writer and columnist Zahida Hina said that what General Zia introduced in the name Shariah was condemnable, but more ironic was the helplessness of the so-called democratic governments that could not abolish those barbaric laws.

President Karachi Union of Journalist, Mazhar Abbas and KPC Secretary Imtiaz Faran

Also appreciated Mukhataran’s struggle and said she had become a symbol of hope for all victims of an unjust system. — By A Reporter