No society can prosper without women’s participation

Lahore : Speakers at a conference organized by Punjab University Department of Gender Studies have said that no society can prosper without women’s participation and we must give women their rights which Islam has ensured to them and denying women their rights was a crime and sin.

The national conference was organized on the theme of sustainable development goals: achievements & future in gender perspective at the department.

PU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad, renowned religious leader and Jamia Naeemia’s head Allama Dr Raghib Naeemi, Punjab Women Development Secretary Irum Bukhari, NUML Dean of Social Science Dr Shahid Siddique, Professor Emeritus Dr Munawar Mirza, Incharge Dr Ra’ana Malik, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

In his address, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar Vice Chancellor stressed the need for women to positively play key role in the development of the country. He said that Punjab University is promoting the policy of merit and equal opportunities were being provided to the women.

Allama Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi highlighted the role of women in society as mother.

Dr Ra’ana Malik stressed the need of involving men in the process of achieving gender equality.

Ms Iram Bukhari discussed the initiatives taken by Punjab government in achieving targets of SDGs.

Dr. Siddique discussed the influence of power structures on the status of men and women in the society.

Dr. Munawar highlighted the failures of MDGs and strategies to achieve SDGs. The department organized 6 parallel sessions based on various dimensions, issues and solutions linking with SDGs in the conference. These Parallel sessions were chaired by gender experts and analysts along with faculty of gender studies as moderators. 

A panel discussion was also arranged on the role of women in building peace in society.

The closing ceremony was attended by Sardar Hamza Ali, Office of Ombudsman person Punjab, Dr. Shafique Bhatti, Head of Gender Studies and Department of History, BZU Multan.

In the concluding session, Faculty of Arts & Humanities Dean Dr. M Iqbal Chawla shared his views about role of women and their equal participation in achieving SGD agenda.

There were about 50 papers read by presenter from all over the Pakistan including Lahore, Islamabad, Mardan, Chitral, Sargodha, Multan and KPK province.