Women-at-Work Festival begins today

Islamabad
The 4th National Women at Work Festival to commemorate International Women’s Day would begin with a vigil in memory of the significant contribution of leading women to the socio-economic uplift of the country.
This was revealed by Munir Ahmed, executive director of the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) and the founder of this festival.
The vigil is being arranged at the Rawalpindi Arts Council today (Monday) at 4:30 p.m. Senator Najma Hameed will be the chief guest on the occasion.
Munir said that women have played extremely rewarding role right from the independence of Pakistan to its democratic development and economic growth. “We need to remember and celebrate women’s role and contribution that has been significant in our social and economic development,” he said.
The festival started in 2012 to commemorate International Women’s Day with the objectives to promote and mainstream the work of the development partners on the women’s rights, empowerment, mainstreaming the decent work, practices to wipe off violence against women and to promote and strengthen gender policy advocacy and governance.
The festival raises public awareness on the gender issues for better work environment that is socially equitable for women, and inspire the generation next by highlighting the work and achievements of the notable and role model women leadership in different spheres of life.
The Rawalpindi Arts Council will be the partner for the second consective year. The council, not only empower the young women in variety of arts and impart skills that help the young women to earn their livelihood, the council also support and mainstream the women and gender development agenda.
The ‘Symphony of Soul’, an exhibition of paintings by female artists on women’s issues, will be inaugurated by renowned artists Tasneem Abbas and Niqar Nazar on Tuesday (March 3) at 3 p.m. at the Rawalpindi Arts Council Gallery. The participating artists include Nahida Raza, Farrah M Adnan, Riffat Ara Baig, Lubna Khatoon, Najia Irum, Nusrat and some students of the fine arts. A discussion on the women artists’ thematic work will also be arranged.
An evening with the leading women in literature will be organised on Wednesday (March 4) at the Rawalpindi Arts Council. The event will present talk and recitation of literary pieces by Zareen Yaseen (a leading poetess from USA), Sarwat Mohiyuddin (renowned poetess of Urdu and Punjabi), Nilofar Iqbal (a well-known short story writer) and Aisha Masood (a popular poetess and columnist).
The Jharoka Art Gallery in Islamabad will host a photo exhibition titled ‘Women at Work’ by different photographers on Thursday (March 5) at 3 p.m. A craft bazaar by women will be arranged from Friday (March 6 to 8) at the Aqs Gallery, Art & Craft Village, Islamabad.