Karachi, March 18, 2024 – On March 7, 2024, the Minority Forum for Social Justice (MFSJ) hosted a seminar on "Women and Their Independence," featuring Deputy Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Mr. Naveed Anthony, as the chief guest. The seminar also saw participation from notable figures including Mahnaz Rehman of the Aurat Foundation, Nuzhat Shireen of the Women Commission on the Status of Women, representatives from the Legal Aid Society, and Chandan Kumar from the National Commission for Human Rights.
The speakers at the seminar highlighted the need for equal pay and better health and safety facilities for women in various sectors, echoing the importance of safeguarding the rights of women working at home, on the streets, and in kilns. Mr. Naveed Anthony emphasized his commitment to reactivating the women's caucus in the assembly, allowing a platform for women to voice their concerns, and expressed his intention to form a minority caucus comprising assembly members from minority communities.
The seminar concluded with the adoption of a resolution by MFSJ, advocating for the revival of student unions, an end to state repression, and the implementation of fixed minimum wages for workers in multiple sectors, including sentry workers, security guards, and railway contract employees. The resolution called for the enforcement of the Domestic Workers Employment Act 2018 and the reinstatement of the Federal Government's Transgender Persons Act 2018. It further demanded the immediate implementation of the Jilani judgment and the empowerment of the Minority Commission by passing legislation in Parliament. The resolution also called for practical steps to prohibit child marriage, the implementation of Article A.22, an end to forced conversions, and the incorporation of Quaid-i-Azam's speech of August 11, 1947, into the constitution and educational curriculum.
This seminar by MFSJ marked a significant step towards advocating for women's rights and independence, echoing a commitment to social justice and equity in Pakistan.
