The governor invited winners from the past decade to join him for an open and candid discussion on Sindh.....
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A country progresses when its women are educated and have a voice. It’s led in a better way when the women are provided with better opportunities and equal rights so that they survive in a male dominant society like ours. Precisely, if they are empowered, nothing can pull it back from the road to success as women are the ones who produce generations and are responsible to teach them, guide them and build them hence, they should be strengthened.
Keeping this in mind, this International Women’s Day, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and his wife Reema hosted an intimate roundtable discussion with Ladiesfund award winners for the past decade. The Ladiesfund Women’s Awards of Pakistan are now in their 11th year and for the past 5 years have been hosted by the Sindh Governor at Sindh Governor House, originally for International Women’s Day but since 2018, on International Day of the Girl in October.
The governor invited winners from the past decade to join him for an open and candid discussion on Sindh. “We were deeply appreciative by the time given to us by the Honourable Governor,” stated Tara Uzra Dawood, president of Ladiesfund who led the delegation.” Twenty women from various sectors and across economic brackets and ages participated. The delegation featured national icons such as singer Tina Sani, media mogul Sultana Siddiqui, founder of Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture Noorjehan Bilgrami, industrialist Spenta Kandawalla, educationist Ameena Saiyid OBE, fashion designer Sonya Battla, philanthropist and educationist The Garage School founder Shabina Mustafa, makeup artist Angie Marshall, first female audit partner of big four Moneeza Butt, magazine publisher Saher H Paracha, CEO of Sindbad Entertainment and family play area Sidrah Nadeem, handicapped advocate Farhat Rasheed. Also, present at the event was prominent journalist Erum Noor Muzaffar among others.
Discussions involved needs for better funding for education, vocational schools, as well as the importance of accessibility in government offices and corporate spaces for handicapped persons. The event began with a heartfelt speech by the governor in which he not only welcomed the delegation, but shared his appreciation for all they had done for Sindh and Pakistan. Each representative then one by one introduced herself as well as her connection to Ladiesfund and after introductions; a Q&A session ensued over tea.
Farhat Rasheed in particular shared her appreciation for how accessible and convenient the venue was. “Cannot thank enough the Governor for this time to meet and share our thoughts, and of course all this is due to Ladiesfund,” said Angie Marshall.
The governor was delighted to meet such diverse and dynamic Pakistani women who were all trailblazers and at the forefront of their fields. A list of areas for future discussion has been compiled and he will reach out to delegates accordingly.
—You! desk
