HYDERABAD: Scholars, educationists, advocates and representatives of civil society have stressed the need for providing basic rights and status to women in society and education for its awareness.
Speaking at a discussion forum, they were of the opinion that the educated people aware of women’s rights should educate women about their rights and status.
The National Commission on the Status of Women and the Institute of Women Development Studies, University of Sindh, jointly organised the forum on "Inheritance Laws and Women Rights".
Dr Arifa Syeda Zehra, chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, presided over the forum, while Vice-Chancellor University of Sindh Mazharul Haq Siddiqui was the chief guest and Dr Rafia Ahmed Sheikh, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, was the guest of honour.
The speakers highlighted the problems of women in the remote areas and said women generally are unaware of their rights and the laws in vogue for their betterment. They regretted that not only illiterate but also the literate women lacked awareness of the laws for their rights.
In her presidential remarks, Dr Zehra said, “We should jointly fight for according women dignity in society.” She said the objective of such discussion forums was to create awareness to pay respect and dignity to women by society and added that it is a moral duty of everyone to pay respect to mother, wife, sister and daughter.
She said more than 40 per cent of women are not only facing difficulties but are also deprived of their basic rights.
Mazharul Haq said home is the basic unit of any society and added that society must start paying respect and dignity to women from home. “We must ensure that the laws about women are implemented,” he added. There is dire need to create awareness among women.
Noted short story writer Noorul Huda Shah said it is essential to ensure the woman is well aware of her rights and is ready to protect herself in the matter of inheritance of property. “Even the educated woman compromises in various cases with the husband, brother and father,” she regretted.
She said the people who are representing society are running their business through double standards and added that their attitudes are different at other stages and at their home. “The so-called champions of women’s rights are not concerned about giving rights to women in their homes,” she said.
Director Institute of Women Development Studies and member from Sindh on the National Commission on Status of Women Prof Dr Parveen Shah said the commission has launched an advocacy programme for women. She said there is need to create awareness among women with the help of all sections of the society.
Noted lawyers Yousif Leghari, Kishinchand Bharwani, Dr Iqbal Ahmed Panhwar, Dr Qamar Jehan Mirza, Shafiq Haider Moosvi, Ayaz Latif Palijo, Sher Ali Rizvi, Parveen Chachar and Meena Kumari also expressed their views.
