INTERNATIONAL: Young Women More Peaceful, Says US Diplomat

Speakers at a seminar on ‘Women: Inspiring Hope and Possibility' highlighted the role of economic facilities, education and healthcare in women empowerment.

The seminar was organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with Public Affairs Section, US Embassy, on Monday.

Alicia Carra, a diplomat from US Embassy, in her lecture on ‘Women and Peace' said that peace was usually defined as a situation of absolute equality and harmony but she liked to link it with degree of freedoms.

She said that nurturing and creation were qualities of women and women were more peaceful especially in younger age.

Appreciating the role played by Benazir Bhutto, she said women could work for peace even if they did not enjoy high stature in society or government. She said, “When we think of future, rule of law and education, we feel the need of changing the situation, which would lead to hope and possibility of peace and development.”

Summing up the discussion, Dr Suleri said there saw a successful programme of a Sindhi NGO helping women even in many sectors even in micro financing.

A male participant said that most of the women in Pakistan have subordinate status and a strategy is required to improve their status in society. In reply, Carra said that she was ready for any help but women of a community know better how to handle a situation.

A girl present in the gathering said that despite subordinate status, women wanted to change the situation.

A female participant referred to economic disparity in society and was not sure what help Pentagon or State Department could extend in this respect.

In an interactive session, a participant observed that the present government passed landmark resolutions on sexual harassment and formed a committee on house reconciliation.

They asked for involving women as participants in decision-making on women issues. A senior academician said that only through action people could do something. She said, “We must not forget the girls struggling and the fathers working for the uplift of their daughters.”

The participants shared their individual and organisational experiences with the speakers. A community worker from Azad Kashmir said that women had to seek permission from their husbands or fathers to attend a workshop.

In the end, Afshan Amir Ali, country director, American Information Resource Center (AIRC), said the center had online database on human and women rights. She said AIRC was working with other institutions in cities like National Library, FJUW, IIU etc.

She said, “Just share ideas and we will be happy to arrange speakers etc in talk shows”.