Gender equality, violence against women discussed

Karachi 

The British Council Pakistan in partnership with Southbank Centre organised a think-in session to plan the WOW - Women of the World festival.

WOW festival celebrates the achievements of women and girls and also looks at the obstacles women face across the world. 

The think-in provided a platform for women to discuss topics such as gender equality, violence against women, the future of the workplace and the division of domestic labour. 

Leading national and international personalities from a diverse range of professional backgrounds took part in the think-in and shared their thoughts and ideas on the format of WOW Karachi.

The WOW think-in was part of a growing international presence of the festival travelling to other continents including America, Australia and Africa and from 2016 - Pakistan and India.

According to the Global Gender Gap Index 2015, Pakistan ranked at 144 out of 145 countries.  The same report places Pakistan at 143 in economic participation and opportunity for women, 135 in education attainment, 87 in political empowerment and 125 in health and survival.

Sumbul Khan, British Council Pakistan’s Director Arts, in her opening speech said: “WOW provides Pakistani women a platform to mobilise, address the challenges they face and collectively seek solutions not only within their local context but also by connecting with women across the globe.”

Jude Kelly CBE, Artistic Director, Southbank Centre and Founder, WOW - Women of the World Festival, said: “I founded WOW-Women of the World to provide time, space and permission for women and girls from across the globe to share the common aims and challenges of gender equality. WOW Karachi is a powerful addition to this international movement which now includes five continents, over a million women and girls and hundreds of partners. WOW Karachi promises to be a spirited and far reaching celebration of the achievements and obstacles facing girls and women in South Asia.”

Talking about women empowerment, Quratulain Bhaktari, founder of Trust for Development Studies and Practice, said: "People and institutions obstructing women's intellectual and professional growth undermine the vital energy desperately needed by humanity.”

Speakers at the Think-in included Nasim Firdaus, executive director, Bangladesh Alliance for Women Leadership; Sapana Pradhan Malla, ex-parliamentarian, former advisor on violence against women, Government of Nepal; Bishaka Sen, teacher-trainer, Loreto Day School, Kolkata; and Dr Sahraa Karimi, CEO and film director, Kapila Multimedia, Afghanistan.

Launched in 2011 by Jude Kelly, artistic director of Southbank Centre, the festival has grown quickly into a global festival with 15 WOW festivals organised across five different continents. 

Following the decision by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall to become the president of WOW, the festival plans to work closely with all 53 Commonwealth countries by 2018.