Equal rights for women demanded
* Only 19pc women are matriculate, 8pc intermediate, 5pc bachelors and 1.4pc masters
ISLAMABAD: The panelist at a discourse titled “Equity for Women: What is Missing?” organised by the National Commission on the Status of Women, discussed the missing links in society that do not allow civil attitudes to develop.
The panelists deplored the condition of women in Pakistan even in this era of development when the women all across the world were enjoying privileges equal to men.
They said that Islam did not permit men to place unnecessary restrictions on women and allowed them to participate equally in every walk of life.
“Women of all classes and cultural backgrounds are being exploited in various ways by the society regardless of their social standing,” said panelists.
Muhammad Farooq Khan, a religious scholar, said that there was a strong misconception about the women’s role in Islam. “Women have equal rights as that of men and have equal opportunities in education, job, right to inheritance and creativity,” he said.
He said it was a sad state of affairs that in Pakistan honour killing was being treated as a settlement but Islam did not permit it.
Establishment Division Secretary Javed Hassan said that since the creation of Pakistan women’s right to education was cosmetically recognised. “In Pakistan only 19 percent women are matriculate, 8 percent intermediate, 5 percent bachelors and only 1.4 percent are masters,” he said.
Hassan said that the gulf between the rich and the poor was increasing day by day, as their education system was different. “The condition of government schools is pathetic as they are lacking basic facilities such as drinking water, toilets and airy rooms,” said Hassan.
He said the basic reason of women’s sufferings was the feudal mindset of people who were not ready to accept women’s rights.
Dr Manzoor Ahmed, Begum Mehnaz Rafi, Dr Mohammad Farooq Khan, Prof Dr Ghazala Irfan, Javed Hasan Aly, Farid Ishaq and Arfa Sayeda Zehra attended the discourse and analysed the issues like education, ethics, religion and social norms and attitudes.
Source: Daily Times
Date:6/29/2007
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