The National and Regional Office of Caritas Pakistan in Lahore celebrated International Women's day with more than 200 participants

Lahore, Pakistan: March 13, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

The National and Regional Office of Caritas Pakistan in Lahore, a humanitarian organization celebrated International Women’s day with more than 200 participants most of which were female youth/working women on the 8th March 2010. The field workers mobilised the participants from the eight different parishes/areas of Lahore. The day was marked around a global theme “equal rights, equal opportunities: progress for all”.

 Rev. Fr. Inayat Bernard in his welcome address deeply welcomed and appreciated the enthusiasm of the participants for this day. Ms. Anila Jacolin Gill speaking on the objectives of celebrating this day added that such forums provide an opportunity for communities to recognise and celebrate local women’s achievements, raise key issues and renew their commitments to continue their contribution for equal rights and opportunities.

 Mr. Amir Irfan briefly explained about the background of International Women’s Day and stressed that the history of International Women's Day is a history of taking action. Ms. Riffat Javed Khalon (Ex Parliamentarian) spoke about general situation of women in Pakistan, their key issues of concern and some achievements of the women in social, economic and political sectors.

Some of the community members also shared their thoughts and achievements with others. The youth groups from Samnabad and Shahdara parishes played a performance to highlight problems faced by the working women.