HYDERABAD: Seminars, rallies, walks and other events were held in almost all cities and towns of Sindh to observe International Women`s Day on Tuesday.

In Hyderabad, women in a large number took part in a rally organised by the Homebased Women Workers Federation (HWWF) and the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF).

The rally titled `Mehnat zadi march` started from Haider Chowk and ended outside the local press club. The participants included home-based women workers, peasants and labourers. A group of peasants presented a tableau highlighting the role and issues of working women in Sindh.

Zehra Khan of the H WWF, Nasir Mansoor of the NTUF and some leaders of the Sindh Agriculture General Workers Union (CBA) spoke at the rally and demanded abolition of all laws discriminatory against women. They also called for bringing an end to the holding of jirgas terming it `illegal parallel judiciary` The leaders observed that gender-based discrimination at workplaces was causing exploitation of women workers while the weaker section of society was facing all ills connected with inhuman customs and traditions.

The labour leaders criticised the government`s privatisation policy and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

They referred to the country`s worst ever incident of a factory fire in Badia town of Karachi, and demanded that justice be done to the heirs of over 250 labourers burnt to death in the inferno.

They said home-based workers, including women, should be recognised as labourers in the definition of the relevant law so that they could also get their due rights in terms of wage, fringe benefits, social security and working hours.

They urged the government to ratify the ILO convention on home-based workers and ensure its immediate implementation.

They also called for the setting up of `hari courts` to ensure justice to the farm workers being exploited by their employers.

A programme to observe the day was organised in the city by the Equality of Justice Association led by Nasira Shaikh.

The Institute of Gender Studies, University of Sindh, held a rally on the campus to mark the occasion.

SUKKUR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) women wing organised a seminar in the Jacobabad Town Hall on Tuesday in connection with the International Women`s Day. It was attended by a large number of women from all walks of life. MNA Mir Farooq Khan Jakhrani was the guest of honour.

Speaking to the participants, Mr Jakhrani recounted the measures taken by the PPP during its different tenures for the rights and welfare of women and said it had the pride that Benazir Bhutto was the first woman prime minister of the country. He said the party`s women wing also played a pivotal role in the country`s progress.

He said the PPP also worked for the elimination of the customs and traditions underwhich women were killed of used as bargaining chips. He said the party also discouraged the jirga system.

Jacobabad PPP women wing chief Dr Farkhanda Iqbal Kato, Shama Jamali, Abida Brohiand others also spoke.

LARKANA: The Civil Society Support Programme (CSSP) in collaboration with the women development department and the Enhanced Democratic Accountability and Civic Engagement (EDACE) organised a programme at the Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Public Library here on Tuesday to marl( International Women`s Day.

It was attended by CSSP executive director Noor Bajeer, Larkana High Court Bar Association general secretary Ageel Bhutto, Hindu Panchayat Council chairpersonKalpana Devi, Assistant Commissioner Dr Masood Bhutto, women development deputy director Shama Parveen, Prof Mukhtiar Samoo, Dr Rafia Baloch, Dr Pirah Sakina Gaad and Afzal Shaikh.

Speaking to the audience, Ms Devi said that the women`s day this year was being observed under theme `Pledge for parity` She said a greater commitment was needed to accelerate efforts towards gender equality. `Pakistan is the country where gender equality is still a distant dream,` she observed, and appreciated different laws and initiatives for the protection of women`s rights including the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013, the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2013, the Protection against Harassment of Women atWorkplace, 2010 and the Anti Women Practices Act, 2011. `Ironically, we still lack the infrastructure to implement the laws. In spite of the existence of laws, there is rampant disregard of women`s rights in society.

Human rights activist Dr Gaad criticised holding of jirgas by landlords and tribal chieftains despite a ban imposed by the Sindh High Court.

The speakers stressed the need for eliminating discriminatory policies and attitudes against women.

The programme also featured a theatre on violence against women and a Sufi music show.

Various women`s day events were also held in Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sukkur, Shikarpur, Sanghar, Umerkot and Tharpakar districts.