HYDERABAD:There could be no real and sustainable socioeconomic development until women are given all their due rights and their equal status in society is accepted and recognized, said Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) General Secretary Zahra Akbar Khan, addressing a press conference in connection with the International Women’ Day, at the Hyderabad Press Club (HPC) here on Tuesday.
She was flanked by other prominent women workers and trade union activists. Zahra Khan said the day of the 8th March is internationally observed as the women’s internal day. On this day the women workers of textile garments sector started their historic struggle from New York City of the USA. This day is really the day of struggle of working women and hence it is celebrated globally. However, today Pakistani women workers like the women workers of whole world are waging a brave struggle for their rights.
Today women in whole world, especially women workers, face a worst exploitation and gender discrimination. Women irrespective of they belong to modern industrialized nations or backward societies brave gender discrimination. In the prevailing system they are made a commodity and a means to give birth to the generations of slave workers. However, women are struggling against this historical injustice.
In Pakistan today a woman is made a third class citizen due to dark traditions, tribal customs, faiths and beliefs. The national laws provide a justification to continue this discrimination. Society is not accepting the role of women, including woman Hari, industrial workers or home-based workers in the production process. Moreover, they are discriminated in wages and privileges. The cases of mental, physical and sexual torture on women are increasing sharply. Illegal Jirga system is slapped on society. Women are being murdered in the name of Karo-kari. Hindu women, especially Hindu Hari women, are being kidnapped and forced to change religion. Factories and workplaces are converted virtually into jails for women, where they are meted out inhuman treatment. Religious hatreds are being fanned and resultantly the women are deprived of their fundamental rights.
However, Pakistani women are continuously struggling and fighting this injustice. In past our women have not only raised a strong voice for the rights of women workers but also given sacrifices for democratic values. These brave women included Mai Bakhtawar Shaheed, Comrade Shanta, Comrade Tauseef, Comrade Tahira Mazhar Ali, Ms Fatima Jinnah, Asma Jahangir and Benazir Bhutto. Women workers following their bright traditions are continuing this struggle. The women workers of Okara military farms, lady health workers and affected women of Baldia factory fire incident have gotten their rights due to their brave struggle. More than 5 million home based women of Sindh, as a result of their ten year long struggle, have succeeded to get the accepted legally as worker and established the first federation of home-based workers in Pakistan and forwarded their struggle. In other sectors of society especially in education and health working women are being organized and getting their due rights with their brave struggle.
On the historic day of the March 08, the Home-based Women Workers Federation in collaboration of other workers’ organization is holding a ‘women workers’ rally in Hyderabad, which would begin from Comrade Hyder Bus Jatoi Chowk, a square named after great revolutionary leader of Sindh. Thousands of women workers would attend this rally. The rally will end at the Hyderabad Press Club, where women would sing revolutionary songs and present a theater. Leaders and workers of progressive, nationalist, human rights and trade union organizations would attend the program.
Besides Zahra Khan, the other speakers included Shakila Khan Information Secretary HBWWF, Jameela Abdul Latif general secretary Home-based Women Bangle Workers Federation Sindh, KausarNisa Home-based women workers union Shahpur Chakar, Shaheena Laghari of Sindh Hari Porhiat Committee and Syed Qurat ul Ain Shah Incharge women complaint cell Hyderabad.