KARACHI, March 8: Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid, in view of the plight of women inmates of the prisons in the country, plans to initiate a project for their rehabilitation in close coordination with committed civil society organisations.

Speaking at a prize distribution ceremony following a painting contest for the women prisoners of the Karachi Central Prison, on the eve of the International Women’s Day, here at the Central Prison, the chief guest underscored the need for improved atmosphere within the jail barracks and maximum opportunities of training and learning for the inmates.

Acknowledging the fact that many of these women, once releazed, find it difficult to seek proper shelter owing to the stigma attached to them, the retired justice stressed urgent measures to ensure a dignified existence for these women often found to be victims of circumstances.

The event, jointly organized by the Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA) and the Women Studies Centre Karachi University, was participated by 27 women prisoners.

The participants’ work was an expression of their ideas on the theme “Creation is Free of Fetters”. Some prisoners of foreign origin tried to portray their agonies and their feeling of loneliness.

A women who has not seen her children for the last two years depicted her motherly feelings complemented with the hope to see them soon.

The panel of judges, comprising Guljee, Naheed Raza, Nusrat and Justice Nasir Aslam, were highly appreciative of the depth of the feelings expressed by the participants through their work.—APP