Women’s Resistance Day

A FUNCTION was held under the banner of Womenís Action Forum (WAF) to observe ìPakistan Day of Womenís Resistanceî at Human Rights Commission of Pakistan auditorium here on Saturday.

Women activists, including Mehmal Srafraz, Lala Rukh, Sara Zaman, Munawar Bibi and Ayra Indriyas, participated in the event. A large number of working women were also present.

The speakers highlighted the role of women in the countryís struggle for democracy, development and the resistance against all forms of oppression. They said that Pakistani women had borne the brunt of conflicts as they were caught in the midst of contesting forces, ideologies, communities and other divides.

A tribute was paid in particular to the women of Lahore and the Womenís Action Forum (WAF) for their resistance against the dictatorship of Gen Ziaul Haq on February 12, 1983. The speakers lauded the women who bore baton-charge and tear gas during a protest against martial law and the ëIslamisationí of the country.

They said female resistance had taken many forms and the speakers paid tribute to women for expressing themselves through music, art, theatre and other cultural forms, adding that violence against women had increased manifold in both the public and private spheres in the country.

They urged all the citizens to work to ensure a Pakistan based on justice, equality, tolerance and peace. They asked the government to take action against groups and individuals who were inciting violence and creating environment of fear and uncertainty.


(2011-2-13/THENEWS)