It is a collaborative effort between SOC Films with The Legal Aid Society (LAS) and National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW)....
inheritance
According to traditional customs in Pakistan, sons tend to enjoy the right of receiving almost all the assets left by their parents, while women generally do not receive or are obliged to surrender their legal share in inheritance. Being daughters, women are often also expected to forego their rights to inheritance in favour of their brothers.
Shedding light on this issue, an animated series titled ‘Inheritance Rights of Women according to Pakistani Law’ was recently released in Karachi. It is a collaborative effort between SOC Films with The Legal Aid Society (LAS) and National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW).
Understanding the need for improved legal awareness amongst women in Pakistan, the animated series comprises 9 distinct animated films aims to dismantle women’s right to marital and legal property in Pakistan. The films are available in 8 regional languages to facilitate communities across the country, making a total of 72 different films. The first film, ‘Inheritance Laws’ examines the many barriers and challenges women face to secure their inheritance. The 9 films were released during the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence Campaign. It focuses to strengthen urban & rural communities at the grass-root level. Advisor for LAS, Palvasha Shahab, shared her views about the series. “It is alarming how many women are blatantly denied their inheritance, their dower & marital property.”
“We hope that this initiative, will allow us to create awareness and make these issues part of the mainstream public discourse,” she added.
Nilofar Bakhtiar, chairperson of NCSW, while sharing her views said, “The responsibility of putting a stop to Violence Against Women is on the society, including all of us. NCSW is proud to collaborate on such a project with the Legal Aid Society and SOC Films. It will bring awareness to women & men about women’s inheritance rights digitally and through the on-road cinema.”
She further highlighted the significance of these films. “They aren’t just films but tools for activism during the 16 days of activism. We intend that these tools, partnerships, and collaborations continue beyond the 16 days as the struggle for equal rights continues.”
Lastly, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy of SOC Films talked about the importance of this issue. “It is extremely important for women across Pakistan to be educated about their rights it is only when we are armed with knowledge that we can fight for our rights and equal place in society.” The series was well received and appreciated by the audience on its distinct but much needed subject.
–– You! desk
