ISLAMABAD, May 25: Narrating her ordeal after the devastating floods of 2010, a girl from southern Punjab here on Wednesday said the calamity ruined her future as she had to leave school because her parents could not afford to buy books and pay the fee for her.

Like Farzana, scores of other girls and women highlighted the sharp decline in their lifestyles as their communities suffered from the floods.

They were speaking at the conclusion of a two-day ‘women caravan’ held to highlight the miseries of the flood-affected women here.

A protest demonstration was also held by the participants of the caravan in front of the parliament demanding special budgetary package to address the sufferings of the women. The caravan was organised by ActionAid Pakistan and Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy (PODA).

“Women and girls have been the worst victims of 2010 floods due to their pre-existing vulnerabilities. After almost a year, millions of women are still desperately striving to rebuild their lives and livelihoods,” the speakers said.

Sameena Nazir of PODA said the impact of floods was not over yet. There are still millions of internally-displaced families that are trying to rebuild their lives. Therefore, budgets should be allocated at federal and provincial levels so that poor people can be supported to overcome the flood devastation.

She pointed out that since women primarily had the responsibility of feeding every person in the family, they should also be given assistance in terms of food production and food storage facilities.

Manzooran Mai from Taunsa (southern Punjab) said she had turned to begging to feed her six children, while other flood-affected persons said they had not been given Watan cards. In some cases, Watan cards were unable to draw money from the bank.

“Only rich are getting support from the government while we the poor are at the mercy of the nature,” said 14-year-old Umaima from Kot Adu.

The organisers said the government and NGOs should keep their focus on women’s rehabilitation.

Only strong, empowered women can build a safe and prosperous society, said Jemal Ahmed, ActionAid Pakistan’s Country Director, while addressing the women’s assembly at the conclusion of the caravan at the National Press Club.

The government must allocate budget for women support programme, which means they should be given Watan cards, proper shelter and income generating opportunities,” he added.

It was highlighted that the floods 2010 had pushed rural women into poverty and added to their sufferings.