PESHAWAR: Speakers at an event have stressed the need for the empowerment of women for ensuring social justice, peace and prosperity in the society. Emphasizing the role of women, the participants shed light on various aspects of women, their rights, responsibilities and their contribution to human development.

Around 18 awards, certificates and gifts were given to successful women at the event. A society couldn’t progress unless complete participation of women was ensured in every sphere of life, the speakers said.

The basic objective of the event was to educate and guide young girl students on their rights given by their religion, society and law. Brig Mateen Ahmad Mirza, chief of the Anti-Narcotic Force (ANF), KP chapter, on the occasion said today’s women were much more educated, well aware of their rights and powerful as the change in KP environment was quite visible though acceptance of change at times was difficult. “For a just, peaceful and progressive society, the role of women is significant,” he said.

The management of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar, in collaboration with ‘Zammung Jawandun’, an advocacy for women rights, organized the event under the topic ‘The voice of women’ at its main auditorium, here on Tuesday. Students, faculty members, rights activists attended the function.

Top women from their respective fields shared their success stories with the audience while a group of young activists staged a short play on the domestic violence against women titled ‘Justice for Noor Jehan’. A documentary was also shown regarding women’s empowerment.

Prof Hur Shumaila Khattak, a senior faculty member of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, pointed out that the so-called liberalism should not be confused with giving voice to those women who had been victim of different kinds of deprivations. She said the condition of women across the country was far from good when it came to education, healthcare and decision-making.

Wafa Wazir, chief of the advocacy said that she had faced many challenges and even her own family put up resistance but she stood up to every single obstacle and came out successful to form an advocacy for Pakhtun women. She said women should know about their rights and duties and it could only be possible through education, building self-confidence and encourage. She said unfortunately, Pakhtun women were equally responsible for their miserable plight by perpetuating taboos and clichés in the society.

“Can anyone imagine in even today’s Waziristan that a young girl will come out from her home and wear jeans to walk through the city flooded with men all-round. Yes I did make it possible despite all kinds of social and cultural barriers. It just needs will power and support of the family,” Ms Wazir proudly maintained.

Sharing her success story, Rafia Qasim Baig, who had joined the KP police department in 2009 when even men would hesitate to opt for their career in the force, said that her unflinching courage and family support enabled her to be the first lady SHO of the Bomb Disposal Squad among 42 world countries.

Lady DSP, Hameeda Bano in her story narrated that participation of women was a must for progress because no society could survive long if its women remained inactive. She defied family resistance and launched her career by putting confidence in her ability.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2018