Feminist Peace Network

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Report about the Rally Jointly Organized by Pakistan Transport Workers Federation (PTWF) and Pakistan Labour Federation (PLF) on 8th March,2008 Lahore Pakistan

On the occasion of International Women Day  On 8th March,2008. A Big rally of Women’s  Workers  was jointly organized by Pakistan Transport Workers Federation (PTWF) and Pakistan Labour Federation (PLF) Led by , President Muhammad Rafiq Qureshi, Secretary General Haji Muhammad Saeed, Mrs Shamila Sadiq  from PLF Office to Assembly Hall Lahore.

While addressing the Rally Haji Muhammad Saeed calling for equal Rights and highlighting the urgent need for human security. He said that for increasing women’s representation of women in decision making the United Nations Security Council Resolution,1325,should,be,ratified.The Women’s working in Rural Areas more that 15 hours and they have no Right to form Trade Unions and also they are not  given the Old Age Benefits, Pension, Social Security. He said that the Women  Workers are facing difficult working condition in private and public  sectors.

Mr Waheed Ahmad Ch Advocate Legal Advisor PLF/PTWF said that Trade Unions have a history in the struggle for social and economic rights, equal opportunities and human dignity. He said that in PLF the number of Women’s officials increased and making full use of women Trade Unionists skill and Experience in all areas of activities. He Said that the justice system, especially the criminal justice system was not pro-poor. Given the fact that a large number of women from the poorer sections of society bear the brunt of various kinds of violence, and the fact that such women and their families are not a position to bear the expenses incurred when seeking justice, the criminal justice system must fully utilize all the tools it has to provide justice, including the awarding to compensation directly to the victim and utilization of legal aid. he also stressed on the immediate necessity to draft and implement a law affording state protection to victims and witnesses of heinous crimes, in order to protect them from further harassment and to ensure that the perpetrator is punished accordingly. he commented that special laws present for the protection of women have some serious loopholes and some punishments that come across as too extreme. Extreme punishments often discourage the legal system from finding men guilty of the crimes of which they are charged.

He said that in our society the women’s has full influence on her children’s and Women can play very effective Role to stop the suicide attacks and killing of innocent peoples

The following resolution passed by the participants

All women’s representatives are to be actively involved in all decision-making at every stage of the planning and resource management.
PLF should make planning to organize the Seminars at city level, Districts level in Educational Institutions to stop the Terrorism and suicide attacks. PLF also create awareness amongst the youth.

The Participants appreciated the efforts of ILO and international Organization for their action programme on achieving Gender Equality in Trade Unions.

Mrs Shamila Sadiq said that every year we are organizing the Rally and Meeting on 8th March and after that we are waiting for the next 8th March. She said that we should continue our activities for the social protection and siop the harassment and violence against women.

Mrs Naheed Akhtar,Rukhsana Nahid,Mrs Yasmmen Khakwani,Mrs Zahida,Muhammad Rafiq Qureshi,Muhammad Rasheed,Molvi Muhammad Aslam,Malik Khalid Mahmood also addressed the Rally

Filed under: Uncategorized, International Women's Day