Celebrating women’s role in socio-economic uplift

Islamabad
A vigil in memory of the significant contribution of leading women to the socio-economic uplift of the country marked the opening of the 4th National Women at Work Festival to commemorate the International Women’s Day here on Monday at Rawalpindi Arts Council.
Women participants from different segment of the society including women rights activists, artists, students, writers and poets joined the vigil to celebrate the significant role of women in the socio-economic uplift of the country.
Organised by Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), the 4-Day Festival aims to raise 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.
In her message, Senator Najma Hameed said that women’s work cannot be undermined as they have significant contribution right from their homes to national democratic governance. In many cases, the role of women has been much better than their male counterparts in the parliament and many other sectors and women also play major role in agriculture and cottage industry, health and education. While celebrating the International Women’s Day, we shall also remember the historic struggle of women against tyranny and dictatorship, Najma Hameed said.
According to Devcom Director Munir Ahmad, the festival was founded in 2012 to commemorate the International Women’s Day with the objectives to promote and mainstream the work of the development partners on the women rights, empowerment, mainstreaming the decent work, practices to wipe off violence against women, and to promote and strengthen gender policy advocacy and governance.
Munir Ahmed said the women of this country have played extremely rewarding role right from the independence of Pakistan to its democratic development and economic growth, and it is important to remember and celebrate the women’s role and contribution that has been significant in our social and economic development.
The 4-Day Festival events include an exhibition of paintings by women artists titled “Symphony of soul”, to be held at Rawalpindi Arts Council Gallery, inaugurated by renowned artists Tasneem Abbas and Nigar Nazar on Tuesday 3 March at 3 pm 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.
Munir Ahmed appreciated Rawalpindi Arts Council to have been partner for the second consecutive year to celebrate women empowerment. The Council, he said, not only empowers the young women in variety of arts and imparts skills that help the young women to earn their livelihood, the council also support and mainstream the women and gender development agenda.
The festival also includes an evening with the leading women in literature, to be organized on Wednesday 4 March at 3 pm at the Rawalpindi Arts Council. The event will present talk and recitation of literary pieces by Zareen Yaseen, a leading poet from USA, Sarwat Mohiyuddin, Nilofar Iqbal, and Aisha Masood. Jharoka Art Gallery Islamabad will host a photo exhibition titled “Women at Work” by different photographers on Thursday 5 March. A craft bazaar by the women will also held from Friday March 6 to March 8 at the Aqs Gallery, Art & Craft Village, Islamabad.