KARACHI: It is need of the hour that women and men work in unison for the betterment of their children and for the progress of the country. Shazia Marri, the Sindh Minister for Information, stated this at the oath-taking ceremony of the members of the executive committee of Media Women Publishers and Journalists Organisation (MWPJO).
Speaking at the ceremony, she stressed the need for education and knowledge to women, saying that without awareness women could not bring up their children in a better way. She said how could a woman guide her children in a right direction without having education and knowledge of the Islamic teachings. At the same time, she said a father should also not ignore his shared responsibilities towards his children to enable them to shine among their community.
Shazia Marri said, “Both males and females are very important parts of the society and they have to play their positive roles to build balanced and constructive characters of new generation.” She also said, “Shaheed Benazir Bhutto wanted to empower womenfolk and the present government in line with Mohtarma’s vision is engaged in work for the rights of all people, without any discrimination.”
Shazia Marri said, “The Constitution of Pakistan has given equal rights to all segments of the society.” She said the media was playing its role effectively, and female journalists were also doing their job very well, adding that the present democratic government had given maximum freedom to the media. The minister further said, “The nation does not accept any injustices in the name of Islam.” The Sindh Information Department was establishing a media centre at an estimated cost of Rs 200 million to provide better facilities to journalists, she said.
On the occasion, Khalida Ghous, the chairperson Information Relations, Karachi University, highlighted social injustices against women and urged womenfolk to make themselves able to tackle all the challenges. She said, “Today’s women are very much informed about their rights and they just need to improve their participation.” Dr Salima Ahmad, Mehreen Elahi, Masuda Ahmad, and Majeed Aziz also expressed their views and said instead of blaming each other for any odd or mistake both woman and man come forward to share each other’s responsibilities.
Office-bearer of MWPJO: Qudsia Kadri, President, Mehreen Illahi, Senior Vice President, Ghazala Fasih, Vice President, Shazia Anwar, General Secretary, Seema Shafi, Joint General Secretary, Erum Zaidi, Treasurer Dr Huma Mir, Secretary Fund Rising, Rabia Baig, Secretary Public Affairs, Aroosa M. Khan, Secretary Women issues, Attiya Mahboob, Secretary Project, Afsheen Zubair, PAVNA, Rehana Hakim, News Line, Rafia Ghaus, Social Policy & Development centre, Musarat Akram, Free Lance Journalist Advisory Council Dr Khalida Ghaus, Social Policy & Development Centre, Dr Fouzia Khan, BizTek Institute of Business & Technology Legal Adviser, Barrister Shahida Jamil, Former Federal Minister of Pakistan.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:8/7/2009
