In connection with the International Women's Day, National Council for Interfaith Dialogue, Pakistan (NCID) organized a one day interfaith conference for women in Lahore, Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan: March 26, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)



In connection with the International Women’s Day, National Council for Interfaith Dialogue, Pakistan (NCID) organized a one day interfaith conference for women in Lahore on March 10, 2010.  The topic of the conference was “The Role of Women in our Society”.  Mrs. Bernadette L. Dean (principal Kinnaired College, Lahore) was the chief guest and Mrs. Najeeba Bi Ji was the chairperson of the conference.  Mrs. Rifat Javed (MPA), Sr. Zarina Jamal, Sr. Samina Joseph, Syeda Ghazal Rasool, Mrs. Amna Ulfat (MPA) & Ms. Naveed Anjum (Chairperson Complaint Cell, Punjab) were the other prominent guests and speakers of the conference.

Fr. Francis Nadeem, OFM Cap, Coordinator of NCID, in his welcome address said that women are the important part of our society and they are playing a vital role for the uplift of the nation.  This is their moral duty to teach their children to become ambassadors of peace and respect all the religions equally.  The must grow the values of tolerance and brotherhood in the society.

Mrs. Rifat Javed (former member of the national assembly) said, “Education is the most effective channel to fight for our rights.  No change will occur until and unless we raise our voice. Is it easy to give powers to women? Who make decision in the family?  Only men!  It is imperative for women to get the power of decision making.  It is the duty of the males to give equal status to the females.  Everybody should join this forum because all the religions give equal rights to the women.”

Expressing her views, the chief guest Mrs. Bernadette L. Dean said, “It is surprising that only women are here to speak about this significant subject.  Presence of men was equally essential in this conference. We don’t wait for 9th of March because for us everyday is the Women’s Day.  Women are contributing equally in all the major sectors of the life i.e. economical, political and social; but, unluckily we have gender discrimination in our system. Women are simultaneously working for the sake of their families and for the sake of their country.  They work hard and earn for their family but, it is a pity that they have to handover their income to the males of their family i.e. to her husband, father or brother.”

She continued saying, “Democracy is impossible without education.  Quality of education is the most important aspect in this regard. We have two types of qualities of education in our country; high quality and low quality.  High quality education is available only in the private institution which is out of reach of the common people and only the elite class could enjoy it.  B.A. must be the minimum education of a girl/woman of our society. When we read the books we find that books also speak about the men.  Therefore, there is a dire need to modify our education system.”  She also presented a statistical comparison between male and female workforces which showed a remarkable role of women in the economic development of the country.

Qaria Jamila Gull, a student of Muslim Seminary, highlighted the role of women according to the teachings of Islam.  She said before Islam a newborn daughter used to be buried alive.  In those days daughters were considered to be a curse for the family.  It is only Islam which gives respect to women.  One who provides good education to his daughter makes his place in paradise.

Syeda Ghazal Rasool from Bilal Markaz, a Syrian citizen addressed the participants in Arabian language.  She said, “All the praise is for Almighty Allah.  All the human being is equal for Allah.  Our prophet Muhammad, P.B.U.H., said whites have no preference over the blacks; all are the children of Adam and made of dirt.  In the eyes of Allah and according to teachings of Islam men do not hold preference over the women.  I wish to inform the whole world that women deserve the uttermost love and kindness.  It is vital for us to recognize the real meaning of Islam and stay away from the elements that are damaging the peace of the world.  Those elements have disfigured the significance of humanity.  All the religions scholars can play an authentic role in this regard.”

Expressing her views, Ms. Naveed Anjum said, “Our society is male oriented and the role of women has been restricted.  Talking about the importance of women role one Hitler said that you give me good mothers and I will give you good future.  There are 63 thousand educational institutions in Punjab and out of those only 17 thousand are for women.  I have established a center for women welfare in Arifwala.  In the beginning I was the only one to run this centre but, today, there is a team with me and we are trying our best to provide assistance to the oppressed women of the society.”

Ms. Amna Ulfat (MPA, Punjab) said, “A woman is meant to be a figure of honor, affection, sacrifice and loyalty. She sacrifices for her family and forgets her own identity.  There are about 80% home-based workers in Pakistan and out of this number women are in majority.  Their wages are less than one dollar per day.  They work as un-registered worker and they are not provided any sort of medical and legal facilities.  I am proud to be a woman and to be a representative of women in Punjab assembly.  I have submitted a bill in the assembly regarding women welfare programmes at union council’s levels.  It is highly regrettable that 85% women of Pakistan do not possess national identity cards.  I ask the government authorities to think about the women.”

Addressing the participants of the conference chairperson of the women wing of NCID and renowned dress designer Najeeba Bi Ji said, “I am educated up to grade (class) seven.  I don’t have a degree in dress designing.  In my point of view degree is not that important and one needs to carry out research in his/her field of interest. I have never thought or dreamt of being at this stage of my life.  As I said, that I am not educated but I have established a foundation namely Bi Ji Foundation.  This foundation will organize training camps for the improvement of skills of the women so that they may earn more for the sake of their families.”  Commenting about the status of women in our society she said, “A woman is always considered as a half.  It is a challenge for all the women to prove their identity as a full portion of the family & society.  Life is easy and we must live it easily.”

During the conference all the participants unanimously passed a resolution which was presented by Sr. Zarina Jamal.  Following are the clauses of the resolution:

• We demand the government of Pakistan to enforce viable and effective laws to curb the violence against women that occur within households and workplaces and also give assurance of their observance.
• We demand the government of Pakistan to ensure practical measures regarding the respect and protection of women within our society so that they may play their due role without any fear and hindrance for its progress and wellbeing.
• We demand the government of Pakistan to ensure practical measures to ban all the foreign TV channels that are damaging the morality of the society, youth and especially the women.
• We demand the government of Pakistan to take immediate actions to restrain the self made law of “Karo Kari” and confer strict punishment to all its practitioners.
• We appeal the electronic media to telecast the programmes that may support the society to eliminate the self made law of “Karo Kari”, violence against women, to promote their respect & protection and to cultivate the ethical values so that our society and country may proceed towards true progress and prosperity.
• We appeal all the social welfare organizations to start awareness programmes regarding the honor and safeguarding of the women, interfaith ethical values, and the curse of “Karo Kari” & its total repeal from the country.
• We appeal the chief justice of Pakistan to take sou motu notice of the murder of innocent Shazia and award the appropriate justice to her poor and oppressed parents.

At the end Sr. Samina Joseph thanked all the guests, participants, speakers and organizers of the conference.