Theatre is one of the most effective tools for changing attitude and changing mindset. Keeping in mind the immense impact theater can have on the communities, Lok Virsa in association with Development Communications Network (DEVCOM–Pakistan), Bedari, Pattan, ActionAid and UNwomen held a theatre evening to mark the International Women’s Day. The evening was a part of a five day ‘National Women at Work Festival’ at Lok Virsa in celebration of 101 celebrations of International Women’s Day to sensitise people about the rights of women across the country.
The organisers arranged a theatre evening which featured short plays by the NGOs, theatre groups, special performances by COMSAT university students, Patan theatre and Bedari theatre groups to highlight domestic violence, impact of terrorism on women, health and personal hygiene, political confusion of Pakistani youth, Talibanization of the society and HIV and AIDS. Poetry recitation was also the part of theatre evening.
Meanwhile, the national women festival, which opened here at Shakarparian on March 8 is continuing successfully with a great fervour and festivity as people of twin cities turned up in great numbers to spend Sunday with their families. The main attraction of the festival remained artisans-at-work, traditional food court, stalls by home-based women workers, song and dance performances and other entertainments for families and children.
On the day, the major focus was screening of visual material on women issues including a documentary on “changing mindsets” by women activist Samar Minallah and “women rights” by OXFAM. ERRA and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also showcased material on women issues and disaster management during the festival. At the evening, a musical night with folk singers was held at Lok Virsa open air theatre. Folk artists Samina Kanwal from Balochistan and cultural shows presented by students of different schools attracted the audience a lot. Bhangra and Sami dance groups are also regularly entertaining the visitors in intervals.
The festival will continue till Monday with all its attractions. It will culminate with a concluding and souvenir distribution ceremony scheduled for Monday at 10:30 am at Lok Virsa Heritage Museum. Talking to media, Lok Virsa’s Executive Director Khalid Javaid invited the masses, in particular women and youth, to ensure their maximum participation in the on-going activities organised by Lok Virsa and DEVCOM with a view not only to provide entertainment but also to focus on a specific purpose – to inculcate awareness among people about women issues and seek their support to create avenues for women empowerment and poverty alleviation through various initiatives.
“On its part, Lok Virsa is already endeavoring in this regard in collaboration with other institutions including community based cultural bodies and non-governmental organisations for the last several years. It is encouraging for us that the response is positive”, he opined.
