It’s a woman’s world all the way...
By Uzma Zafar

Women play an integral role in socio-cultural progress in society. In fact, it's a women's world today, all the way. However, where our women are playing an active role in all fronts, there many are also endeavouring many hardships in their stance, whatever that might be. On the other hand, violence on women continues to prey the society like an undying menace. But the good thing is that the women of today are ready to deal with any hurdle in their way, through a collective struggle against injustice. This is evident from the fact that where the International Women Day was once celebrated in headlines only, there the distinguished women of society, along ladies from all walks of life, have made it a point, to come forward and mark the day through various events and programmes, that would go on, all day today, in this part of the world as well. Thus, participating in the effort, The Daily Mail gathered views of various distinct women of our society.
"The women of Pakistan should get out to embrace their basic and legal right that is not only judicially theirs' but has also been recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Islam has given various rights to womenfolk as well, even within the confines of their head scarves and four walls of the home. PPPP as government would try it's level best to bring women in the mainstream for positive economic growth, while bringing them in par with their male counterparts. It was Benazir Bhutto's dream that women should enjoy equal rights and status in society, than males and we would do everything in our capacity to fulfill the dream of the lady who laid her life for the country, nation and democracy. We would tread on her footsteps and take her struggle forward."

Farzana Raja
PPPP
"For me, I think violence on women is still a serious issue to ponder upon. I have been serving the cause for the past many years and I have seen that instead of decreasing through time, the menace is at a rapid increase. And this increase is very dangerous for our country. However, in the political scene, it is expected of the upcoming government that very positive steps would be undertaken to curtail violence against women that's alarmingly on the rise as is clear from the very sad demise of Benazir Bhutto. However, 50% of the entire population of the country expects the new leadership to take very positive and strong measures against this menace while exercising Zero Tolerance within the society. There are many clauses in the laws that can favour women and thus, need to be studied closely. New pieces of legislation are required while all such laws need to be repeal, that discriminate women so that women are protected and seen as equal members of the society."

Shehnaz Bakhari
NGO
"We have got the direction for dealing with women-related issues and we should continue with the struggle. We are moving on the right path. Networking between women should be strengthened further. In the distinguished women, we have Fatima Jinnah for a role model, who lived her life through honesty, honour and dignity. Treading on her footsteps, we should make efforts for community development, nation building and improvement of society at large."

Anaza Ehsan
PML(Q)
"For a free and just society, it is important to empower the women. Women play an active role in society let that be as a mother, as a daughter or as a sister. Men of the society should give more opportunities to women by opening up added avenues for them as in education, science and other fields as women are an integral part of society and their presence is important for socio-cultural progress."
Zubia Zubair
NGO