Seminar on emergence of women’s leadership held at SU

The Women’s Leadership Club Pakistan Study Centre University of Sindh Jamshoro organized the awareness seminar “Emergence of Women’s Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities” to explore the factors of women leadership and to promote safe and secure environment, gender equality, socio-economic rights and problems of women.

The seminar was organized in collaboration with Sindh Police Government of Sindh and Women Protection Cell, and Anti-Harassment Cell, University of Sindh.

The President of Women’s Leadership Club Ms Sanam Altaf Chandio welcomed all the guest speakers and highlighted the aims and objectives of the Club. She said that the main purpose of the Club is to engage students in positive activities.

In his keynote speech, Professor Dr. Shuja Ahmed Mahesar Director Pakistan Study Centre University of Sindh Jamshoro emphasized on three ‘Es’: Education, Employment and Empowerment of women.

He further elaborated the objectives of Pakistan Study Centre according to the Act of the Centre and highlighted the Centre’s performance in teaching, research and community services.

He said that the main objective of the establishment of the Women's Leadership Club is to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG's) Goal No.5 which is about gender equality.

The Director analyzed the challenges faced by women which include domestic violence, gender discrimination and lack of safety at workplace.

He said women’s social status in social structure intoxicated with feudalistic values and patriarchal norms remains unchanged. Further, women are neglected in the field of decision-making. Dr. Shuja Ahmed stressed the need to ensure the participation of women as provided under the Article 34 of 1973.

Dr. Shuja Ahmed Mahesar further explored the factors for the emergence of women’s leadership which include education, family support, self confidence and he argued that women leaders have proved themselves effective leaders in dealing with pandemic crisis. They have demonstrated a substantial level of resilience and capacity to sustain under dangerous circumstances created by pandemic virus.

He further remarked that in order to improve the global gender index position; Pakistan needs to provide space to women leadership and women empowerment.

Professor Dr. Naseem Aslam Channa, Chairperson Anti-Harassment Cell University of Sindh Jamshoro informed the audience about the support available at the Cell in case of harassment cases. The purpose of this cell is to work on enquiries or help out girls students. She told the whole process of the cell and harassment cases.

Mr. Faheem, Assistant Sub Inspector, clearly defined various forms of harassment and also put some suggestions, precautions measures to be taken by girls in order to avoid harassment cases.

Ms Marvi Awan Director Women Protection Cell appreciated all activists, organizers, members including members of her team, police, women activists etc.

She briefly enlightened the audience about the issues related to women and described the strategy to cope with these issues.

She admired the services of the Director Pakistan Study Centre and she said that Pakistan Study Centre has taken great initiatives for establishing various clubs for youth empowerment and engagement of students in creating awareness about gender issues.

She said that the other departments of the University of Sindh should replicate the model of such clubs of the Centre.

Ms Sadaf Police Inspector described the scope of secure environment for girls.

Ms Shahnaz Sub Inspector appreciated the Pakistan Study Centre University of Sindh and encouraged girls to be in touch in case of harassment and other problems.

Dr. Ghazala Panhwar Director Bureau of STAGS, University of Sindh Jamshoro highly appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Study Centre’s leadership and Women’s Leadership Club’s performance in creating awareness among communities.

Mr.Saadullah Rahujo and Engr. Mashooq Ali Khowaja thanked the speakers.

At the end of the seminar, Appreciation Certificates were distributed among the Speakers and members of the organizing team.