ISLAMABAD: Rural women demanded inclusive policies to reduce inequality and set a path for sustainable development and a strong economy on the second day of the Rural Women’s Conference on Wednesday.

The 12th annual Rural Women’s Conference, organised by the Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy (PODA), is being held at Lok Virsa. More than 2,000 representatives from all districts attended the second day of the conference, which ends today (Thursday).

PODA President Sameena Nazir said inclusive policies demand inclusive processes to engage women at all levels for sustainable development.

“We need to recognise the role and contributions made by Pakistan rural women. For this we need to recognise rural women’s status in the society though government policies by declaring them farmers so that they can benefit from the government’s schemes. A person who owns land is a farmer officially. That’s why we demand the government to allocate one acre of government land to a woman farmer for agriculture to mainstream their work as a farmer,” she said.

“Our country has done well to ensure pro-women legislation. We have made progress in some areas but there is significant amount of work still to do in terms of ensuring inclusive policy as it will ensure a better society. We are here at the conference for better society for rural women of Pakistan,” Ms Nazir said.

The Jugni Theatre Group also revealed societal complexities through their performance in the Lok Virsa open air theatre. They touched on social behaviours in a subtle manner and ended the performance to ensure human rights which are interconnected and for which we need to enhance access to education.

Educationist Khalida Ahmed said: “Education is the mother of all rights. It demands long term commitment from the government, civil society, parents, teachers and students.”

She was speaking at the policy dialogue session on ‘Girls’ Right to Secondary Education in Rural Areas’.

Speakers at the session emphasised inclusive education, in which people with disabilities are an integral part of the mainstream education system.

Women’s rights activist and former member of the National Commission on Human Rights Anis Haroon concluded the session saying that governments need to invest more in sectors of education, health and justice, as this leads towards overall sustainable development and progress for all.

While speaking on the policy dialogue on the ‘Political Rights of Rural Women’, Election Commission of Pakistan Secretary Babar Yaqub Fateh Mohammad said the commission was committed to making all out efforts to ensure the inclusive participation of women at all levels.

The evening ended with musical performances by various performers and artists.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2019