The Nomad Gallery in association with United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN) on Wednesday organised a string of cultural activities including poetry recital, screening of documentary, singing on a giant mural and calendar 2012 launch at its premises to observe ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence’.
The event, held under the theme ‘From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women’, aimed at bringing together women, peace and human rights movements to challenge militarism and sexual and gender-based violence committed by state agents, particularly police and military. A large number of activists, local artists, students and art lovers attended the programme.
The activities kicked off with participants signing and writing messages to end discrimination against women on a large size peace mural ‘Aman Shanakht Banao’ (Let peace be your identity).
Young poets recited English and Urdu poetry followed by the recital from creative artist and writer Ahmed Habib, who read out excerpts from his new book. Sarwat Mohyuddin also recited Urdu poetry from her book, highlighting sexual and political violence against women, including pre/during/ post-election violence.
On the occasion, a 50-minute documentary ‘Shanakht- Mein Houn Zindagi’, produced by Nageen Hyat, was also screened with an aim to highlight and sensitise the viewers on working women, culture and taboos in Pakistan. The documentary that was presented in collaboration with PTV also included women writers and poets sharing their views on the issue.
An art exhibition containing around 20 artists’ work highlighted sexual violence and political violence against women, was also displayed on the walls of Nomad Gallery.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Nomad Gallery owner Nageen Hyat said the mural would remain open for comments along with the artworks on display till December 10 (Human Rights Day), while the Nomad would also hold an outdoor craft festival, music performances, peace mural, art display, mime performances, and poetry reading, for supporting women’s rights on the same day.
