ISLAMABAD : Starting from March 8, the 10th edition of the ‘Aurat Hunar Mela’ (National Women-at-Work Festival), a 3-day event showcasing women’s work, products, and services, will take place at Lok Virsa, Shakarparian in Islamabad.
In collaboration with the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) and the Federal Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, Devcom-Pakistan (Development Communications Network) is organizing this annual flagship event to commemorate UN’s International Women’s Day on March 8.
Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed mentioned that more than 100 marginalized communities and self-employed women from various regions, including Chitral, Gilgit, Baltistan, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and South Punjab, will exhibit their products, skills, and services. The theme for this year, “inspire inclusion,” aligns with the International Women’s Day focus.
During the three days, women folk singers will perform, and paintings by women artists will be displayed at the Heritage Museum Gallery. A conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for Women’s Development will emphasize the corporate sector’s role, recognizing and awarding outstanding initiatives.
Highlighting the significance of March 8 as a UN day dedicated to women’s rights and empowerment, Munir Ahmed stressed the key role it plays in global women’s rights campaigns and the empowerment movement. The 2024 International Women’s Day theme resonates closely with Devcom-Pakistan’s mission of promoting and mainstreaming marginalized women’s work.
Devcom-Pakistan initiated the “Aurat Hunnar Mela” in 2012 to encourage women’s entry into various sectors. The event focuses on promoting and mainstreaming women’s human rights, economic empowerment, and the work of community women to strengthen their voices for social, economic, and political participation.
Starting this year, Devcom-Pakistan will introduce awards to recognize and appreciate the corporate sector’s efforts under their Corporate Social Responsibility for women’s development. The CSR Award will acknowledge significant initiatives contributing to women’s education, health, skills development, economic empowerment, and the implementation of women-friendly policies and practices with internal engagement.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
