To mark the International Women’s Day, a five-day national women-at-work festival opened at Shakarparian on Thursday. The event was jointly organised by Lok Virsa (National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage) and DEVCOM Pakistan (Development Communications Network).
The ceremony was opened at the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum by Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan.
She talked about the various constitutional provisions introduced by the government for empowering women in different fields.
In her address, the minister said: “Pakistan is a Muslim society and the role models for our women are Hazrat Khadeeja and Hazrat Fatima. Hazrat Khadeeja was the first Muslim entrepreneur whose life is an example for all of us.
“We need to ensure that women get maximum access to education which is their tool for progress and prosperity.”
She also stressed upon the masses, in particular the non-governmental organisations, civil society and other human rights activists to join hands with the government for the successful implementation of its on-going policies.
“The PPP always supports women’s rights. Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Z A Bhutto provided a road map for women’s rights for the first time in the history of Pakistan and his talented daughter Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto took his vision ahead,” she added.
Dr Firdous, who served as the minister in-charge of Lok Virsa before the creation of the ministry of national heritage, appreciated the Lok Virsa’s role and contribution, saying: “This institution has always been a front runner for any initiative that leads to the empowerment of women. The efforts of its chief executive Khalid Javaid in this regard are praiseworthy.”
She assured full assistance to women from all walks of life on behalf of the federal government.
Lok Virsa’s Executive Director Khalid Javaid informed about the initiatives undertaken by Lok Virsa to support women. He especially mentioned the benefit shows organised to honour female artists and singers, including Reshma, Zarsanga, Badshah Zarin Jan and Surayya Multanikar.
“The benefit shows were held to not only honour these legendary folk singers, but also to encourage the youngsters in their families to continue practicing the musical traditions they inherited from their elders,” he said.
The newly elected Senator from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rubina Khalid said: “The PPP government is determined to take every possible step to safeguard women’s rights and to grant them a respectable status in the society.”
She added that women are holding high positions such as the National Assembly speaker, Information and National Heritage minister.
Khalid stated that Benazir Bhutto sacrificed her life for the rights of women and the restoration of democracy in the country.
Social activist Dr Fouzia Saeed, National Disaster Management Authority Member Anjum Asad Amin and DEVCOM-Pakistan Programme Coordinator Riffat Ara Beg were also present at the ceremony.
A large number of people, including art lovers, women, students and media representatives attended the inaugural ceremony.
The festival features included an exhibition of the work of female artists from all the provinces, stalls by cottage industry workers, female entrepreneurs, NGOs, the corporate sector, educational institutions, a traditional food court and an entertainment area for children. The festival will continue till Monday (12 March) at Lok Virsa, Shakarparian, daily from 10am to 8pm.
