MULTAN, March 8: International Women Day was observed in South Punjab with traditional fervour by local NGOs, political parties and lawyers.The Karawan-i-Benazir marched from Nawan Shehr to Press Club to pay rich tributes to women’s social, political struggle for the protection of rights and the rallies left a message that rulers failed enacting laws on women protection. The march participants demanded end to violence and injustice against women.
The southern Punjab women wings of Pakistan People’s Party organized rallies across the region in connection with International Women Day while the main rally organized in Multan on Thursday. The PPP women activists led by South Punjab PPP wing president ex-MPA Shazia Abid took out a big rally from Nawan Sher to Multan press club which was also joined by male and female lawyers
Speaking on the occasion ex-MPA Shazia Abid women are equal part of the society and PPP would resist discriminatory laws against women.
She said women have been complaining of having being isolated from mainstream society. Women feel disillusioned on being maltreated by the male-oriented set up in Pakistan. She said if women are given a chance, they can contribute more positively towards the development of all social aspects. Unfortunately, the society adopts a hostile attitude towards the women. Their development in society is hindered due to many factors. Particularly the rural woman has to tolerate unbearable dominance by the other sections of society.
Multan High Court bar Association ex-vice president and senior PPP stalwart Feroza Faiz said that Women’s rights in the country are a big question. The women have no rights or privileges in the male-dominated society of Pakistan.
Pakistan is an Islamic state and Islam acknowledges the rights and privileges of the women in society. Likewise, Islam does not impose any restrictions that may hamper the social growth and development of the woman folk.
The south Punjab PPP women activist Saeeda Jamal said that a woman is equally important member of society. The woman plays a vital role in building the society on healthier and stronger foundations. A significant number of women in the country observe ‘Pardha’ while coming out of their homes or when mixing with men in social settings. The concept of the ‘Pardha,’ or veil, is meant to segregate the women-folk from the male section of the society. The women are not prohibited from working but at the same time are supposed to keep their behavior in line with Islamic values. Because of the pardha system, most women (particularly of low education) have to work at home to contribute financially to the household, she said.
PPP senior leader Nagina Haraj advocate said the ‘‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948’’ promotes equal rights of all people including men and women. She said Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries for a woman. The State does little to protect it vulnerable despite constitutional guarantee and laws guaranteeing free will to the women of Pakistan. They are denied their fundamental rights, she added.
In a conservative society like Pakistan where even able-bodied women have to deal with several problems in carrying out day-to-day work, a wheelchair-bound lady has shown great courage and resilience in fighting the daunting challenges that life threw at her.
Lozina Shoaib was once completely dependent on her mother as she has been suffering from Multiple Congenital Contractures (MCC), osteoporosis, rheumatic arthritis and cardiac problems since her childhood. Being a patient with walking impairment, she could not move a bit without her mother’s support.
But as time went by, Lozina, the only child of her parents, became an embodiment of courage and bravery when her widow mother was in need of a helping hand.
“For me she is God’s blessing and equal to ten sons,” said Lozina’s mother, Fauzia Shoab, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, 2015.
“My wheelchair-bound daughter took great care of me; more than an able-bodied person would do,” said the mother, whose daughter is now 39 years old.
“I never saw my daughter letting her disability get in the way to thrive for the best. I truly feel proud of her,” said Fauzia Shoab, who is under treatment at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore. After every twenty days, Lozina takes her mother to Lahore from Rawalpindi for follow-up checkups.
Throughout her mother’s treatment, Lozina also continued her job at a government office and also completed her PhD in Information Technology.
Though doctors do not have a high hope that the mother would be completely cured of her illness, Lozina wishes to see her mother as a breast cancer survivor.
“The moment my mother told me about her disease, I felt like my world fell apart,” said Lozina, while talking to The Express Tribune on the eve of International Women’s Day which is celebrated across the globe on March 8 (today) every year to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women. It’s a day when people across the world acknowledges and pay tribute to their matchless and tireless efforts for their families, community and to world.
For Lozina her mother is also her best friend. The mother and daughter had suffered the biggest loss of the life when Lozina’s father Major retired Shoaib was martyred in a terrorist attack while offering Friday prayers in Parade Lane, Rawalpindi, on December 4, 2009.
Lozina, who is currently working as a director at a government organisation, is among those courageous women of Pakistan who are putting all efforts to smash disability and gender stereotypes. Till date, she has undergone 22 major surgeries including Spinal Fusion, and has nine more in store that are, regrettably, not possible in Pakistan.
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