Women painted as strong component of society

Rawalpindi: As many as 42 female students from different universities and colleges expressed the womanhood and its role in knitting the socio-economic fabric of our society in painting competition here on Monday. Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) organized this contest at the Fatima Jinnah Jinnah Women University in connection with the 8th National Women at Work Festival, an annual flagship public advocacy festival of Devcom-Pakistan to mark the International Women’s Day.

The participants used different material and medium to paint the womanhood. Oil on canvas, pastels, charcoal, acrylics and water colours were mostly used in an eight-hour long marathon painting competition.

The participants showed woman as a strong component of society who is otherwise considered as a weaker element. Briefing about the competition, the Devcom-Pakistan Director Munir Ahmed said the International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

Ahmed said, every year Devcom-Pakistan develops its own theme and a set of events are planned around it that depict women’s struggle for their rights in Pakistan.

This year ‘women in culture’ is the theme to focus on the women’s work in the cultural sector. Women of our society are striving hard to get their due place in every profession to play their dynamic role to boost the economy and to make a robust society. In this struggle, they face many hurdles and stigmas, and unfortunately their work and struggle is undermined despite long journey of advocacy and awareness-raising efforts.

We need to recognize, appreciate and celebrate the women's work to inspire more womenfolk to become part of the economic productivity. Women working in the culture sector are more stigmatized in Pakistan especially those engaged in the professions such as dance, music and theatre.

Riffat Ara Baig, the creative director of the event, said the participants have some marvelous work the best o which would be displayed in the festival’s forthcoming exhibition ‘I am a woman’ at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC).

She said the festival is achieving its objectives by engaging different segments of society in different activities despite lack of funds and sponsorships.

The Head of fine arts department of the Fatima Jinnah Women University Dr. Surriya Chaudhary said art can play significant role in promoting and mainstreaming women’s rights and work. The colourful visuals can attract even illiterate persons, and imagery can tell the stories without any text.

She said a comprehensive plan is needed to engage the young artists from the universities to play its dynamic role in the social change that we are looking for.

Wajiha Manzoor Raja, one of the participants, said though hand-cuffed and chained in rubbish stereotypes the woman I have painted is bearing the burden of the entire world. It is symbolic yet reflects the actual face of the woman’s work. We shall recognize that woman’s role in our family to our society and try to reduce her sufferings.