Category: Women’s rights

Uncategorized, Women's rightsLeave a comment

The Protection of Women against Violence Act falls short of its objective

imadahmed

by Nihal Ates Pakistan Today | 9 March, 2016 A London-based independent domestic violence advocate hopes national legislation won’t repeat the Punjab Act’s mistakes Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy intimated at the Oscars that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will legislate at the national level to address honour killings. One hopes that the legislation he plans to pass is of a higher standard than the recently passed Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, which has been hyperbolically hailed by Pakistani newspapers as a ‘comprehensive protection to women against a range of crimes’, as ‘making all crimes against the women [sic] an offence,’ and … Continue reading The Protection of Women against Violence Act falls short of its objective

Aman ki Asha, Family, Lahore, Pakistan, Pakistani Initiatives, Published Features, Published Work, Women's rightsLeave a comment

A cross-border friendship puts women in the driving seat

imadahmed

An Indo-Pak friendship born in the United States underlines the shared value of women’s empowerment Aman ki Asha | Dec 2, 2015 Imaduddin Ahmed Sightings of women driving pink rickshaws around Lahore have seized global media attention about the initiative to enfranchise women, those seeking to supplement their livelihood as well as those seeking safe passage. I first heard about the Pink Rickshaw being voiced as a concept some time back at the work desk of my ever-active khala (mother’s sister), Zar Aslam, when I was on a visit from Rwanda to see family in Lahore. That’s when I learnt … Continue reading A cross-border friendship puts women in the driving seat

Lahore, Pakistan, Published Features, The Friday Times, Women's rights2 Comments

Contrasting memories of pre and post-Partition Lahore – Rehana Bano Bokhari

imadahmed

The Friday Times I remember that pre-Partition, my two elder sisters studied at the co-ed FC College. Post-Partition, when I finished high school, Ab Ji, Maulana Salahuddin Ahmed, did not want me to go to a coeducational college because he … Continue reading Contrasting memories of pre and post-Partition Lahore – Rehana Bano Bokhari

Lahore, Published Features, Published Work, The Friday Times, Women's rightsLeave a comment

Utopia for a day

imadahmed

The Friday Times | Jan 19, 2007 Imaduddin Ahmed’s  week Regular readers will know that my luck runs short when I enter public spaces in Lahore. Ironically enough, I’ve never had trouble at protests or elections. Yet I found myself to be the proverbial moth to the incandescent flame last Sunday as Annie Aunty, Sarah and Julia came to pick Amme (I now live with my repatriated mother) for the Lahore marathon. I’ve had too much fun revelling in Berkeley and San Francisco street festivals and open air concerts to be deterred by a couple of ugly incidents. Besides, last … Continue reading Utopia for a day

Human rights, Women's rightsLeave a comment

Women’s Action Forum national convention, Lahore 1982

imadahmed

The Friday Times | Nov 17, 2006 Courtesy: Lala Rukh. Women’s Action Forum, taken at WAF’s national convention in Lahore in October, 1982. What began as spontaneous reactions to Gen Zia ul-Haq’s anti-women laws developed into life-long struggles for equality, education and health. Between them, these women have either founded or worrked for Simorgh, Shirkat Gah, ASR, Aurat Foundation, SAHE, Lahore Grammar School and the National College of Arts. Standing from left: Farida Sher, Najma Sadeque Second row: Samina Rehman, Rukhsana Rashid, Farida Shaheed, Ghazala Rehman, Fareeha Zafar, Nighat Said Khan, Aban Marker-Kabraji First row: Humaira Rehman, Khawar Mumtaz, Sultanat … Continue reading Women’s Action Forum national convention, Lahore 1982

Pakistan, Published Features, The Friday Times, Women's rights1 Comment

What is a Pakistani man?

imadahmed

Imaduddin Ahmed’s week | The Friday Times Another Independence Day and we’re still here! Yes, we lost our more democratic half and there’s a bit of turmoil here and there, but we’re here and we can say “Up Yours India!” and that’s what counts, right? Well, besides being here, what do we Pakistanis have to show for ourselves? Two things that spring to mind are a few sporting achievements (a confidence booster for Pakistani male virility) and the “Muslim” nuclear bomb coupled with a few missiles – which means we’re good at erecting phallic tools that cause massive explosions (testimony … Continue reading What is a Pakistani man?