Seminar on ‘Pledge for Parity’ held at FJWU

Rawalpindi

The Women Research and Resource Centre (WRRC) & Gender Studies Department of Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) organised a seminar in connection with International Women's Day on the theme of ‘Pledge for Parity’ here on Wednesday.

Ms Maria Batool recited verses of the Holy Quran. Ms. Rakhshanda Parveez Janjua (WRRC) welcomed guest speakers, faculty, staff, students and the chief guest of the ceremony. Guest speakers were Professor Dr. I N Hassan (ex-pro-vice chancellor of the FJWU), Ms. Maleeha Hussain (a scholar), Ms. Sadaf Raza (social activist in gender inequality) and Ms Kishwar Naheed (writer and poetess). Dr. Rukhsana Hassan, head of the Department of Gender Studies & In-charge WRRC, in her welcome address, spoke briefly about the journey of WRRC and its development over years. She said that the WRRC at FJWU has been working in the fields of research and longitudinal studies concerning women-related issues.

Addressing the audience, Dr. Hassan said that working in a restricted environment is never easy for a woman. She talked about some of the reasons behind gender-related issues. She said that poverty, lack of knowledge and conservativeness are the few reasons which do not let women to grow in society.

Ms. Maleeha Hussain, in her address to the audience, talked about ‘Inclusive & Inflexible Culture of Workplace.’ She said "We live in a male dominated society so there is a need to develop a balanced environment." She praised various laws in favour of women's rights and urged women to study those laws in detail so that they could be benefited. 

Ms. Sadaf talked on 'The Leadership of Women'. She suggested that women should maintain a personality.

Ms Kishwar Naheed shared her experience while working with men in the past and she discussed the issues which women faced in the past. She emphasised on the need for education and self-belief, which are the key factors for women to progress. She expressed her views in the form of her thought-provoking poetry as well.

In the end, FJWU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Samina Amin Qadir thanked the guest speakers for their motivational and inspiring talks and discussions.  "Constraints and hurdles are part of life but how we overcome them is more important," she said. She advised the students to never give up because they are the future of Pakistan and young girls and women can play a pivotal role in the progress of the country. 

In the end, Professor Dr Samina Amin Qadir and Dr. Rukhsana Hassan presented university souvenirs to the guest speakers.