HYDERABAD, Sept 25: The women’s wing of the Jamaat-i-Islami on Tuesday released a charter of economic, political and social rights from the platform of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA).

The central general secretary of the JI’s women’s wing, Dr Kausar Firdous, accompanied by Umtul Raqeeb, Saleema Ehsan, Talat Zaheer and others, briefed newsmen about the charter at a news conference at the Hyderabad press club.

Emphasising upon the different duties and rights assigned by the God Almighty to men and women, she said that women were duty- bound to take care of their homes and children and, therefore, not responsible for earning livelihood for their families.

They said that it was incumbent on an Islamic state to create an atmosphere where both men and women could perform their separate duties.

However, they said that necessary facilities should be provided to women working outside her home because of domestic compulsions.

The JI’s women wing leaders said that it was in the collective interests of the society to encourage the cottage industry besides providing jobs to women near their homes.

They stressed on the need for establishing segregated universities and health centres for women. Women, they said, should be given first aid and weapons training within the parameters prescribed by Islam.

While deliberating upon the women’s political rights, they demanded adequate women representation at all fora, adding that special arrangements should be made for the women to exercise their right to vote.

They said that women should be encouraged to form organisations for the welfare of the fair sex.

Criticising the exploitation of the women’s legal rights, they said that little attention was paid to protect the same in the male-dominated society.

Stressing on the urgent need for legislation to deter domestic violence as well as collective violence by the society against women, they demanded that all laws, including the Hudood Ordinance, should be amended to conform with the tenets of Islam.

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