ABID ALI SOLANGI
DADU: A non-governmental organization Sujag Sansar Organization, with collaboration of Norwegion Human Rights Fund, VV lead and Global Giving organized Women’s International Day in Johi town to create awareness among the women about their rights on Sunday.
A big number of women including household wives, girls and others participated in the event and shared their issues by drawing out their own pictures on chart.
Speaking at event, Saheheena Panhwer, a student said that women are discriminated in their homes and outside homes. She said that Women’s International Day provides an opportunity to get together with the experienced women, learn from their experiences and get inspiration.
Noor-ul- ain leghari, education promoters said that we must work hard and convince our parents to allow us to get education and choosing our profession.
Moomal Mallah, a teacher said that sometimes parents are cooperative but society interfere and create problems for girl students and working women.
Rozina, female theater group leader, said that sometimes our parents encourage us to work in theater groups but our relatives and villagers make different discouraging remarks but we don’t care.
Speakers at the event have expressed concern over problems being faced by women and urged both the government and public to give due status to the womenfolk so that they could play their active role in development of the society and country.
Implementation of Child marriage restraint act
UMERKOT: Implementation of Child marriage restraint act, land for Thari land less women, Hindu marriage law formation and especial program on educating girls are need of empowering the oppressed segment of Sindh, urged in a conference, “Issues of women in Sindh and role of stakeholders” held at Umerkot by AWARE, a local NGO with support of Oxfam Novib to mark the women international day. On the occasion 10 best social activists were honored with Shaheed Mai Bakhtawar Awrad 2015. On the occasion veteran social activist Ms. Mehrunisa Laghari said that Sindhi society is dominated by feudal mind set up and they are hurdle in empowerment process of depressed segment of society especially women, minorities and poor people. Poet and signer Juman Darbadar commented, there are some laws but common people are unaware about those and oppressed people have no information of exercising their rights because the power structure is captured by wealthy people and they have such nexus by which they exploit the rights of people. Dr Ali Nawaz Shahani shared that women empowerment will come through the educating girls and creating enabling environment for women to grow. Huma Iqbal from Oxfam shared that women day is mean just to celebrate one day but our stakeholders should realize the importance keeping in view the ground realities; the need and practices in society. She emphasized on implementation of child marriages restraint act 2013. Karim Bux Shaikh pointed out that in Umerkot District women literacy rate is very low and there is need of initiating an especial program for rural Sindh especially. On the occasion ten role models who have contributed selflessly for women development in Umerkot area were honored with awards in the name of Shaheed Mai Kakhtawar. Bakhtawar was a tenant women who fought with land lord for her due share from crop harvested by her family. In 1946 she was killed by feudal in Umerkot area and she is know as symbol of courage and struggle in Sindhi society. Awards were given to; Ms. Mehrunisa Laghari for her contribution of more than 40 years for women empowerment, Ms. Janki Devi against her contribution in increasing literacy rate among women, Ms. Rashida Saund for her women health initiatives, Dr. Ali Nawaz Baloch for his struggle to create enabling environment for women, Folk singer Mai Dhai, veteran social activist Juman Darbadar, educationist Ms. Aasoo Bai Kolhi, woman social activist Ms. Shahida Samoo and role model teachers Ms. Rami Bai and Sajida Aamir for their extra ordinary contribution.
The conference concluded with recommendations; implementation of Child marriage restraint act, land for Thari land less women, Hindu marriage law formation and especial program on educating girls in rural Sindh are the need of hour and Government is urged to take measures.
Imtiaz Gorar
LARKANA: Pirbhat Women Development Society (PWDS) celebrated
International women,s Day with the theme Equality for women is progress for all, here at Larkana Press Club on Sunday.
Speakers reiterated the commitment to the emancipation of women and their protection from all kinds of exploitation and discrimination, added that objective of holding seminars and orientation sessions to create an awareness among the masses to put to end all forms of violence and tortures against women and providing them equal status in every field.
Chairperson Hindu Panchayat Larkana Advocate Kalpna Devi, President Larkana Press Club S Iqbal Babu, Advocate Alia Rizvi, Zulifqar Rajpar, Hafeez Soomro, Rubina Chandio representative of Pirbhat Women Development Society, Murad Pandrani and others also spoke on the occasion, they said that It is a day to commemorate the achievements of women and to raise awareness for the social and politician equality of women around the world. It calls for challenging the status quo for womens equality and vigilance inspiring positive change.
International Womens Day first reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
While Gomi Bai Ladies Club Larkana also arranged a ceremony to mark international Women,s day, different stalls were set up outside the premises of club, local singers entertained to women and other guests.
Deputy Commissioner Larkana Javed Ali Jagirani chief guest of program addressed on the occasion, said that women has great role in development of society, education for women is inevitable.
He said that we should play collective role to avoid violence against the women and ensure equal rights for men and women.
Assistant Commissioner Larkana Dr Masood Ahmed Bhutto, Dr Prih Sakina Gaad, Shazia Jalbani, Javed Gopang and others also spoke.
Imtiaz Gorar
LARKANA: Police is still clueless to recover allegedly kidnapped 12 year old Rehan alias Moon Gorar nephew of Justice of Sindh High Court Aftab Ahmed Gorar, despite of passing 11 days, Police arrested 12 people and released 5 of them after the interrogation.
Rehan alias Moon son of Imtiaz Gorar resident of Lahori Muhalla Larkana who went missing on 26th February 2015 at 5 PM, when he came out from home to go at Madarsa for religious education, but did not return back to home.
The relatives of missing boy searched everywhere to trace him but failed to find any clue, they informed the Civil Line Police Station Larkana about the missing of Rehan alias Moon Gorar, but concerned Police are reluctant to even register the case of abduction.
Imtiaz Gorar a primary teacher and father of abducted boy told journalists that his son Rehan alias Moon Gorar went out from home for Madarsa, after reasonable time did not return back to home then enquired from Madarsa they told that Moon had not come at Madarsa, we have no enmity with others, he told.
He demanded high ups for early safe recovery of their boy.
SSP Larkana Kamran Nawaz talking to media that he refuted the abduction of Moon Gorar and termed that a matter of missing incident, Police is striving hard to locate the missing boy in this regard he told that we have assigned three Police officers among DSP civil line, SHO civil line and PSO to SSP to probe into the matter.
OLD DISPUTE, CHILD KILLED IN FIRING
Waheed Phulpoto
SHIKARPUR: A four year minor child killed in firing which was erupted between two groups of Jatoi tribesmen at village Manik-g-Wand within the jurisdiction of Gaheja police station some 40 kilometers from here on Saturday late night.
According to reports firing erupted between two groups of Jatoi tribesmen including Fareed Jatoi and Sajan Jatoi tribesmen an ongoing old dispute of agricultural land which resulted a minor child identified as Toufique Ahmed of 4, son of Ghafoor Jatoi which was playing at street of village killed on the spot.
Armed men escaped away from place of incident.
Area police reached on the spot and handed over the body of deceased child to his relatives after conducting post-mortem from Madeji Hospital.
Sources said that Sajan Jatoi’s group fired on village Manik-g-Wand which is belonging to Fareed Jatoi’s group.
The cause behind the incident is agricultural land which claims 09 lives of innocent persons.
SHO Imdad Shar told to media men we will register the case of child murder on wish of parents.
FIR was not registered till this news was flashed.
SYED SAJID ALI NAQVI QUAID MILLAT JAFARIA REACHED AT SHIKARPUR FOR CONDOLENCE
Waheed Phulpoto
SHIKARPUR: Quaid Millat Jafaria Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi condoled with victim families of Shikarpur tragedy which occurred on 30th January 2015 at Central Imambargah Masjid here on Sunday.
According to press statement issued by Shia Ulema Council Pakistan district Shikarpur has stated that Quaid Millat Jafaria Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi condoled with victim families of Shikarpur tragedy including Shaheed Liaquat Ali Sanjrani, Shaheed Aijaz Ali Shah, Shaheed Usman Sheikh, Shaheed Ghulam Shabir Lohar.
On the occasion he offered Fateha Khawani and expressed deep sorrow for departed souls.
Voice President of Shia Uleman Council Sindh Allama Riaz Hussain Al Hussaini, Zanwar Roshan Ali Hakro, Azhar Hajano and other were also present on the occasion.
CONDOLENCE
Waheed Phulpoto
SHIKARPUR: The younger brother of renowned personality Haji Shoukat Ali Baluch has passed away here on Sunday.
According to reports the renowned personality, social worker and founder member of Sambara Scouts open group registered Haji Shoukat Baluch’s younger brother Liaquat Ali Baluch of 35, has passed away.
The cause of death his kidneys have failed.
He was laid to rest his ancestral graveyard after funeral prayers.
Waheed Phulpoto senior journalist, several political, social workers and good number of citizens offered Fateha Khawani and expressed their deep sorrow for departed soul.
Haji Siraj Ahmed, Abdul Razzaque Lakho, Ghulam Mustafa Mahar, Haji Arbab Phulpoto, Akbar Shar, Badal Shar, Naeem Shar and other were also present on the occasion.
222 eye patients benefit from free medical camp organized by SRSO
Shakeel Khan
SUKKUR: A three-day free eye camp has been organized by Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) with collaboration of HelpAge International at Sultan Kot, a remote area of the Shikarpur district.
According to Senior Manager NRM and Focal Person of HelpAge Projects, Nisar Ahmed Pathan, over 222 eye patients were checked up by well qualified surgeons.
Besides, 400 patients were operated and 600 free glasses were provided the patients with free medicines, Nisar Pathan added.
Talking to Media, some of the patients said that they were suffering from eye diseases but could not get treatment due to poverty. They thanked SRSO for providing them with complete medical treatment including eye surgery for free. They also thanked Senior Manager SRSO Nisar Ahmed Pathan and Programme Manager Help Age Shahzado Khaskheli in particular.
Call for policy on home-based workers
Shakeel Khan
SUKKUR: Speakers at a seminar held here on Sunday demanded that the government recognise home-based workers, make laws immediately to safeguard their rights and ensure they receive fair wages for their hard work.
The event was organised by the Home-net Pakistan`s District Action committee to mark the upcoming International Women’s Day.
Coordinator of the action committee, Ali Hassan Mahar praised the role of women in society and said they had the key to the nation’s progress. Thus, it was important that they received education, he added.
The government, he said, had the responsibility to ensure fair wages to home-based workers, most of whom comprised women. “By doing so, not only the government will help improve life of these disadvantaged women, but it will also give a boost to the national economy,” he said.
Speakers who included Murtaza Ghanghro, District Officer Social Welfare department Naseer Shah, Sarah Sahar, Sanam Faqeer, Ms Afshan of the Nari Foundation, Ms Afshan of the Aurat Foundation and Dr others briefed the audience about the hardships the home-based workers were facing in the absence of a law on their rights and because of weak governance.
They urged the government to take guidance from the C-177 convention of the International Labour Organisation on home-based workers.
Low wages, prolonged working hours and unsafe working conditions were some major problems being faced by these workers that were yet to be officially recognised.
These issues, they said, could only be effectively addressed if efforts were made to change class-system prevailing in society. More and more people, it was said, were getting into informal work because of rise in inflation and increasing poverty.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms Sarah Sahar said the term home-based worker was used to refer to workers who carry out remunerated work within their homes or the surrounding grounds.
These workers, she said, formed a significant proportion of the overall workforce but did not even have access to basic human rights.
She urged the government to approve the HBW policy and legislation without any further delay.
Ms Afshan of the Nari Foundation said it was a high time that the government should come up with a legal framework for the HBWs’ protection adding that the HBWs issue was a core labour issue and all the trade unions strongly demanded the approval of the HBWs policy as well as the Labour Policy.