APWA Women’s Library inaugurated in Liaquatabad

Women residing in Liaquatabad and nearby areas had a cause to celebrate after the All Pakistan Women’s Association’s (APWA) first all women’s library was inaugurated by the deputy city commissioner, on Thursday.

Named the APWA Women’s Library, the space is located in Liaquatabad B-1 area within the premises of one of the association’s schools.

Besides area residents, the facility would not only benefit female schoolteachers but also aims to accommodate mothers of children studying in the school. The library’s administration has also been considerate of the fact that a lot of the visitors may not be well versed in English, hence, provides an interesting array of books in the local Urdu language.

Congratulating APWA over the achievement, the deputy city commissioner observed that, “It is an excellent initiative. A library for female parents in a school is a first of its kind intervention which will undoubtedly help in building a better society.”

Iffat Nayyer, an educationist who runs APWA’s Liaquatabad B-1 area school and also serves as an advisor to the association’s education committee, said the library would initially be open from 9am to 12pm.

But the timings would be increased if the library exceeds the expected number of members, she added.

As for the collection of books which includes writings of progressive literary stalwarts such as Qurratulain Hyider and Ismat Chughtai among others, Iffat said the selection has been kept to do away with the notion that women cannot comprehend literature beyond a cook-book or a fashion magazine.

“The existence of such strong female writers in our society is testament to the fact that women are capable of doing a lot more than they have been stereotyped to do,” the educationist asserted.

Also thankful to APWA for the donation, however, Iffat said the endeavour would not have been possible without mothers of the children studying in the school. “We decided upon setting up the library after most of them said they want to be provided with such a facility. It was actually their idea,” she informed The News.

Speaking at the ceremony, mother of one of the school’s students, Madiha Sohail, applauded APWA’s efforts for establishing a school in such a low-income area. But most importantly, Madiha thanked APWA for providing quality education within affordable means.

“The library initiative is commendable for mothers since it’s impossible for us to quench our thirst for knowledge owing to domestic obligations. Such a facility near our home serves is nothing short of a blessing,” she added. The event concluded with a short but powerful performance of students on a song calling for women’s potential to be acknowledged, and encouraging women to stand up for their empowerment.