International Women’s Day celebrated
Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) celebrated the International Women’s Day, lauding the role of women in the development of the country.
The faculty members, staff and scores of students participated in the event held at Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Auditorium on Monday.
Owing to outstanding role in various fields, the Pakistani women received a standing ovation by the students and the faculty members of the varsity.
Addressing the program, Tara Uzra Dawood, president of the Ladiesfund and the Dawood Global Foundation, said that she was inspired by the role the university was playing in the development of society. “This great institution is building resilience.”
She said that the future is female, advising the female students of the university to work hard if they want to achieve something in their life.
Nisha Rao, the first transgender lawyer of the country, urged the government and other organisations to spend money on education and skill development projects for the transgender community. “This will be a great service to our people.”
She said that her presence at the law college while she was pursuing her degree was unacceptable to her classmates. “I don’t understand why people don’t accept us as a part of society,” she asked. She remarked that education has changed her life completely.
Commending the role of different Pakistani women, SMIU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujeebuddin Sahrai Memon said that they have played a very positive role in making this nation proud. “We have to maintain the balance for further development of the country. The country will prosper with your [women’s] participation.”
He said that Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, the great poet of Sindh, conveyed this message to the world through his characters like Sohni, Momal, Sassui and Marui. “His poetry has different meanings at local and global levels.”
He remarked that Pakistan’s geography and human resources makes it a wonderful country. “I want to salute some of the best women of Pakistan who played a very important and a decisive role in the development of the country and this nation.”
Among the names he listed were Fatima Jinnah, Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan, Benazir Bhutto, Fahmida Mirza, Hina Rabbani Khar, Malala Yousafzai, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Arfa Karim.
The students of the Department of Media & Communication Studies also presented a theater titled ‘Daagh’.
On the occasion, Prof. Memon distributed trophies and shields among the winners and runners of a women cricket tournament and painting competition. End