It is with great joy that I would like to inform you that URI Women Desk Pakistan was formaly launched on 8th of March, 2009. A beautiful ceremony was conducted at the URI Regional Office in Lahore. Sr. Sabina was introduced and her abilities of writing poems, prose, short stories, conducting workshops for women and children, plus her being Editor of "URI Umang" and "Siraat" magazines were shared. She is the author 4 books of poetry and short stories. An other 3 of her books including a novel is in the press for printing. He had 20 years experience as a Principal of various schools. She is the member of the URI for the past couple of years. Moreover, she is the Coordinator of Women and Kids Education (WAKE) CC, Faisalabald. She was very kind to accept this responsibility. Her joining the Regional Office has further strengthened and boosted our URI activities and vison.
The International Day of Women was also celebrated with messages of hope for women around the world and how to meet the challenges of illiteracy, lack of vocational education, medical facilities and awareness, plus violence they are faced with. All assured that we will do our utmost best to work for the better future and equal oppotunites side by side with men. Together women and men can change a bring a revolutionary change in the world. Prof. Afzal Tauseef gave inspiring talk on this occasion. She is the author of 40 books and taught 25,000 post graduate students in various colleges and universities. She highlighted the problems which are faced by the women in Pakistan. The rist of millitancy and fundamentalism has increased the miseries of women in Pakistan.
Sr. Sabina has written a short but comprehensive report and reflection on this program. I am pasting it below. A few photos are pasted.
May Peace Prevail On Earth!
Report on the International Day of Women and
Launching of URI Women Desk,Pakistan
By Sr. Sabina Rifat, Coordinator URI Women Desk Pakistan
I am very grateful to the URI Region Pakistan for appointing me as Coordinator of URI Women Desk Pakistan. I am also grateful to all those who sent me greetings and messages of congratulation at this occasion, especially Most Rev. Bishop William E. Swing and Ms. Sally Mahe. I feel honored to serve in this capacity for the empowerment of women in peacebuilding. I will do my utmost best for this responsibility.
On the 8th of March, a beautiful and very befitting ceremony was arranged for the launching of URI Women Desk Pakistan and also for the celebration of the International Day of Women. There were 45 participants, most of them were women, young girls and a few men. Women presented songs, dances and tableaus to mark this occasion. It was a very colorful ceremony.
The situation and condition of women in our country is not encouraging at all. Though there are women participating in all sphere of life but it is a very limited number. The rate of literacy, bad health conditions, sexual harassment and violence is very high. And a very large number of women are, anxiously waiting for a Messiah to redeem them from this bondage and misery. Though there is equally a large number of people working for the betterment of women but the results shows that there is something terribly lacking. I have been already working since long for women & kids, especially for their education, and awareness but from last fours years I have committed myself only for the cause of the poor children and women. It is an honor for me to work for peace & harmony through interfaith dialogue from the platform of URI. I am grateful to the URI Pakistan Region for their trust and good wishes for me on my appointment as a Coordinator of URI Women Desk in Pakistan. I assure that I will use all my abilities with commitment for the empower women, to give them awareness and help them in their misery weather is it physical, spiritual or psychological so together we my bring a positive change in the society. They have an important role to play in bringing peace and development in the world.
According to Madar-i-Millat (Mother of the Pakistani Nation), Fatima Jinnah “Woman is not weak at all. But in certain matters, nature, society and circumstances have made her weak. But if she wishes and has iron will she could be stronger than man. She sacrifices more than man, she surpasses man by maintaining the highest standard of character, ability which is apparently inaccessible to man in certain matters”.
On 8th of March, 2009 at the celebration of the International Women’s Day and the Launching Ceremony of the URI Women Desk, we had a seminar for giving awareness to women; on the topic “The Present Situation of Women in Our Society” I called a renowned Muslim female writer, poet and critic Madam Prof. Afzal Tauseef, who in a very realistic way talked on the relevant topic.
I conducted the workshop together with men and women giving them 3 questions one, to each group. The questions were:
1. What are the problems faced by contemporary women?
2. What are the domestic, social and economic problems the women face?
3. What strategy women can follow to handle the problems and get equal status as men?
The 3 groups took an active part in the discussion and came up with real problems and good suggestions. From their discussion I could drew 3 priorities which we will be working on to empower women.
1. Awareness programs (i.e.) workshops and seminars etc.
2. Education (i.e.) in the schools.
3. Vocational education (i.e.) sewing centers, adult education, beauty parlor, goat rearing etc)
Fr. James Channan presented me the Appointment Letter, Charter of URI, along with URI Directory, URI badge. Miss Zoya Maria a young URI girl presented bouquet to me at this occasion. Fr James assured me of his full support & cooperation for the betterment of women through this URI Women Desk. The establishment of the this desk is a mile stone in the history of URI in our region. I am grateful to Fr James with all my heart for his cooperation, good wishes and support. And also thank the entire URI family for giving me this responsibility and for conducting this very beautiful ceremony and for all their love and cooperation.
May peace prevail in Pakistan!
May peace prevail on earth!
Sabina Rifat
Coordinator URI Women Desk Pakistan
153 Ali Block
New Garden Town
Lahore 54600 Pakistan
