The Department of Gender Studies at the UMT School of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSS&H) celebrated the International Women's Day 2019 to pay a glowing tribute to the courage and determination of ordinary women, who are playing an extraordinary role in Pakistan and around the globe. Dr Muhammad Aslam (SI), Rector UMT, was the chief guest on the occasion and inaugurated the ceremony. The Rector participated in a walk activity and appreciated the efforts of female faculty, staff members and students on their valuable contributions to University and other frontiers.
Keeping in view the global theme of 2019, ‘think equal, build smart, and innovate for change,’ the event aimed to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.
UMT female community fully participated in the event. The declamation and poster contests were also organized in Seminar Hall, where female displayed their creative abilities. The judges of declamation contest included Zahid Islam, Executive Director SDF and Founding Director FAFEN, and Dr Nadia Anwar, Assistant Professor, DELL, UMT whereas the judge for poster competition was Muhammad Mustafa, Head Design, OCM, UMT.
A research seminar on ‘Gender Equality: National and International Protection Mechanisms’ was also organized to highlight the contributions of women on personal and professional frontiers. Professor Dr Rukhsana Kausar, Dean, SSS&H, held the session chair. The speakers of the seminar were Dr Abul Hassan Najmee, Former Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Punjab, Salman Abid, Director, SPO, Dr Naila Sahar, Assistant Professor, DELL-UMT and Iram Rasheed, Lecturer, Department of Gender Studies, UMT.
Another seminar highlighting the importance of women role models, titled, ‘Women of Substance: Remembering Khalida Hussain, Altaf Fatima and Fehmida Riaz’ was also hosted on the occasion. The guest speakers were Dr Arfa Sayeda Zehra, eminent writer and Professor of History, FCC, Atiya Syed, eminent fiction writer, Former Dean, LCWU, Yasmeen Hameed, eminent poet and writer, Former Editor Bunyad, LUMS and Dr Ambreen Salahuddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Gender Studies, UMT.
All the speakers concluded that women of the country have increased political presence, formed strong civil organizations and contributed to academic programs at universities. However, there is still much to be done in Pakistan for gender equality.
