ISLAMABAD: Women and human rights activists and civil society representatives here on Friday underlined the need for acknowledging women’s contribution to democratic struggle, establishing peace and development.
They reiterated their resolve to continue the fight against discriminatory laws and for social justice.
Addressing a seminar on militancy, security and fundamental rights and role of women in peace building, speakers called for a multi-pronged analysis of 305 madressahs in the federal capital.
The seminar was arranged by the Insani Haqooq Ittehad (IHI), an alliance of human and women rights organizations, in connection with National Women’s Day at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute.Speaking on the occasion, Dr Fauzia Saeed, chairperson Mehargarh Institute, said that keeping in view the socio-economic background of the capital’s citizens, there may not be many parents who would send their children to the seminaries out of poverty.She said that madressahs were built at any place found unused including green belts and highways, in violation of the capital’s master plan under the nose of civic bodies and law enforcement agencies. While the capital’s master plan envisaged only one mosque in a sub-sector and one at the markaz (centre) of a sector.
She said some madressahs were being used as breeding ground for extremists, militants and suicide bombers. She called for an investigation, research and analyses of the role of such madressahs.
Dr Farzana Bari, Director Gender Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, highlighted the contribution of women in establishing peace in the time of conflicts. Ms Bari said women also played a key role in the struggle for restoration of democracy but regretted that they had not been given their due rights in the country.
She urged the younger generation to come forward and take the leadership role in every sphere of life.
After the discussion, the participants marched from the Hill Road to the National Press Club. They were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of women rights and against Talibanisation, obscurantism and bigotry.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/13/2010
