KARACHI, March 8: The solution to woman’s problems does not involve conflict with man and opposition to him, but the solution lies in adopting a positive attitude and creating an understanding between man and woman and by effecting changes in the behaviour of man in keeping with the tenets of Islam.

The chief of the Jamaat-i-Islami’s Women’s Commission, MNA Aisha Munawwar, said while speaking at a seminar, organized by the Jamaat’s women’s wing, Karachi, to mark “The Women’s Universal Day” at the party office here on Saturday.

Other speakers at the seminar, titled “Women in the 21st century,” were MPA Kulsoom Nizamani, Rabia Alam, Fakhr Karim, Jehan Ara, Kulsoom Sultan, Dr Shakira Satoor, Humaira Motala, Dr Zaima Iqbal Alvi, Tasleem Durrani, et al.

Recalling the status that Islam has given to women, the speakers said no other system except Islam provides real protection and status to women.

Aisha Munawwar said the woman of the 21st century was worried about her future and sought guidance, with effective planning, in the right direction.

She said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal would strive in the parliament for solving women’s problems.

“Of course, education for women is important, but the attitude of hostility, based on mere imaginings, towards man should be changed,” she emphasized, saying the role of women in the home, family and society could not be ignored as no society or country could make progress in the right direction if half its population faced hardship and their concerns and rights were not paid due attention

She said there is a need to change the thinking that women’s participation in the economic sphere is essential for the progress of society which multiplies the responsibility of women. However, Islam does not forbid women to work to earn a living.

Kulsoom Nizamani said women living in cities were unaware of the plight of the oppressed women living in villages where women had to shoulder more responsibilities than men. Obscurantist thinking and practices had made the life of women miserable in rural areas.

Fakhr Karim said Islam has made education compulsory for both men and women.

Rabia Alam said the Women’s Universal Day was being observed for the past 90 years, yet there had not been much change in the plight of women as they continued to feel insecure.

Dr Satoor said even in the 21st century women continued to be deprived of basic health facilities, as the number of women dying in childbirth and due to pregnancy-related complications was on the rise.

Women of today were struggling along with men for their rights, said Senator Dr Kausar Firdaus in her message read out at the seminar, adds APP.

She said Islam has give women the right to life, Kifalat (sustenance), inheritance and in all economic activities.

She said the woman was a basic part of the family and the family made a society and from this standpoint the significance of her role continued to expand.