Exhibition, discussion highlight iconic Pakistani women
ISLAMABAD: The annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) began at Nomad Gallery on Monday with an exhibition of posters of iconic women from Pakistan followed by a discussion about their contributions to the struggle for women’s empowerment, democracy and human rights.
Women’s rights activists and members of civil society narrated stories of courage and struggle and recited poetry about the difficulties facing Pakistani women.
The posters by noted artist Khuda Bux Abro, popularly known as K.B. Abro, featured former prime minister Benazir Bhutto – the first female prime minister from the Muslim world, renowned human rights and democracy defender Asma Jahangir, poets and activists Fahmida Riaz, Kishwar Naheed and Nasreen Anjum Bhatti, social media icon Qandeel Baloch, Punjabi and Sindhi folk singers Reshma and Mai Bhagi, Attiya Dawood, Sheema Kermani and Perveen Rehman.
The exhibition was followed by a panel discussion featuring Senator Sherry Rehman, Lt Gen Talat Masood, Irfan Ahmed Urfi, Kishwar Naheed, activists Nasreen Azhar and Tahira Abdullah, journalists Sadia Bukhari and Shazia Abid and the host, Nageen Hyat.
The speakers recalled the struggle and sacrifices of women such as Bhutto and Jahangir, describing them as symbols of courage and resistance for generations to come.
“It is very rare to find highest qualities of character, courage, commitment and perseverance in one person. Asma and BB embodied all these qualities which were also strength to their personality,” Mr Masood said.
Sadly, he added, great personalities of this country have gotten recognition abroad first and later in their own country. He said the violation of human rights was one of the greatest failings of Pakistan because of weakens institutions and weak democracy.
Ms Abdullah described Jahangir as a symbol of hope and resistance for the voiceless and downtrodden, who always stood against social injustice and supported marginalised segments of society by pleading their case on the streets and in court.
Ms Naheed and Mr Urfi spoke about Riaz and Ms Bhatti, while Senator Rehman recalled her fond memories and association with Bhutto, saying she was fearless and courageous to the core and was a guiding personality for the women in politics.