Resilience of Pakistani women celebrated through art

Islamabad

Courage and resilience of Pakistani women was celebrated through art, classical dance and music at an event organised by USAID’s Gender Equity Programme (GEP) of Aurat Foundation on Friday.

Organised in connection with the celebrations of International Women Day, the event was the culmination of art competition among the students of Rawalpindi and Islamabad where they drew empowered Pakistani women through colors based on the theme ‘Be Bold for Change.’ USAID Mission Director Pakistan John Groarke also participated in the event. He met the students and distributed certificates among the participants of the arts competition. Minister for State Marvi Memon was the chief guest on the occasion.  

The event also featured classical dance performance on women empowerment by young classical dancer Amna Mawaz and music performance by all women band. Participants from all parts of the country greatly appreciated the all women performance hinting towards the fact that change has already taken place.

Speaking on this occasion, Chief Operating Officer of Aurat Foundation Naeem Mirza said GEP is a countywide program which has provided hundreds of sub-grants to Pakistani grassroots level organizations which work for women’s empowerment. “These grants focus on women’s access to justice, capacity building of organizations, combating gender-based violence and advocacy and awareness. Women from all walks of life, including home-based workers, lawyers, domestic workers and students have benefited from GEP’s projects,” he said.

 USAID Mission Director Pakistan John Groarke said that increasing women participation Pakistan’s economic is vital for economic growth of the country. “Now is the time to reflect on the progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”

Minister of state Marvi Memon said that it is the responsibility of the strong women to encourage an facilitate the vulnerable women and become a role model. For true emancipation, she stressed for ensuring women’s right to life, right to chose and right to work.  She also talked about the achievements of Benazir Income Support Program and announced that BISP is working on the second round of empowerment messages for rural women which would soon be shown to women in BISP network in rural areas.

At the end, GEP Chief of Party Younas Khalid talked about the GEP contributions towards the struggle of women rights in Pakistan. He hopped for the continuation of this legacy.