Under the auspices of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, the “Fifth Women’s Conference” was held at Auditorium I to commemorate International Women’s Day, where President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah, along with Muneeza Shamsie, Zubeida Mustafa, Zehra Nigah, and Dr. Jafar Ahmed expressed their views. Women’s Conference commenced with a vibrant showcase of music, theater, and dance performances, featuring talents from the Arts Council Academies including Emad Rahman, Abdul Ghani, and Faizan Bhatti, demonstrating remarkable performances.
During the inaugural ceremony, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, remarked that the girls seated here today couldn’t have imagined reaching this far. Fifty or sixty years ago, when Zehra Nigah came to recite poetry, it was inconceivable for a woman to leave her house, recite poetry, or not wear their veils. Fifty to fifty-five years ago, Zubeida Mustafa initiated efforts for women’s rights through education. Muneeza Shamsi has been working on literature from around the world for forty to fifty years.
He mentioned that society still predominantly favors men, but at this time, nobody could have imagined a woman writing about entrepreneurship. They can write stories against taboos and fake saints. Women have faced many difficulties in obtaining their rights, but today it’s heartening to see their success. He mentioned that at Karachi University, more than 80% of the students are girls, and in our medical colleges, there are more than 80% girls. Women are working in the police department, flying planes, and for the role model women present here today, there should be thunderous applause. He said that Sadiqa Salahuddin adorned thousands of girls in rural Sindh with the adornment of education. We want to connect more young girls and let them know the enormous struggle behind the freedom they have achieved.
Renowned poetess Zehra Nigah recalled a lady named Amina Apa,and said that when I used to go to school, I used to see Sadequain Sahib imparting art education to children. Knowledge is a vast field, which I observed in the city of Karachi. We have many treasures, and if attention is paid to students, perhaps no child will be devoid of any skill. I have seen Sadequain and Faiz Ahmed Faiz teaching children in school. Look, there are revolutions of all kinds happening in the world, that truth remains true and false remains false. What can I say about that school? When I think about that school, it feels like education was not limited to just classes, teachers, and students at that time. We want to do whatever we desire, whether it’s painting, music, dance, poetry, or singing; nothing should stop us. In the end, Zehra Nigah recited poems on “Gaza” and “Woman,” which were highly appreciated by the audience.
President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, presented an award to education expert Zubeida Mustafa for her services. Renowned education expert Zubeida Mustafa said that this is not just my award but the award of all women. When I started working, very few women were working in institutions, but you are the women who stood behind us like a wall and supported us. I have many sisters like you who are still facing difficulties today, trying to pull them out. We can make women conscious and educated in society and pull them out of difficulties. I am grateful to President Arts Council, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, and his team.
Muneeza Shamsi said in her key speech that Begum Habibullah initiated the tradition that all women should participate in political parties. Twenty-five years ago, Benazir Bhutto was made the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan, and today Maryam Nawaz has become the first female Chief Minister of Punjab. She said that in our society, women are often targeted for violence, and after that, they are blamed for being victims. Educating women is like to educating the entire family. It is evident that during the Women’s Conference, sessions were held on Art Exhibition covering topics such as “Reclaiming the World: Challenges of Today’s Woman,” “Dil ki Baat,” “Hamari Kahaniyan,” “Dekh Zamana Mera Hai,” “On Your Own,” and “The Changing Measures of Success.”A theatre play titled “Kamla,” directed by Uzma Sabeen.
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