Abstract of the Talk:
Women’s Action Forum (WAF) is a non-funded activist and pressure group that lobbies for equal democratic rights, in particular for women, minorities and marginalized classes. WAF has active chapters and representatives in Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. WAF believes in and supports a secular state that recognizes and is responsible for, the protection, security and dignity of all its citizens equally and without discrimination on any basis. For 35 years, WAF has struggled against discriminatory laws, policies and acts of injustice that may have been committed by the state, the army, courts, clergymen and men of communities and national institutions.
About the Speakers:
Raheema Panhwar works in community development, policy advocacy and women’s rights. She has considerable experience in legislative rights for women and is an active member of WAF, Karachi.
Uzma Noorani is a rights activist. She is on the Council of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Founder Trustee of Panah Trust that runs Panah Shelter Home. Founder member WAF.
Moniza Inam is a journalist by profession and women and human rights activist. She is particularly interested in women’s emancipation, freedom of expression, intercultural communication and interfaith tolerance and diversity.
Nuzhat Kidvai has been an active member of WAF and works on literary expression, the arts and music.
Moderater: Afiya S. Zia is a feminist scholar and teaches Women’s Studies. Between 2009-2016, she has authored over a dozen articles published as book chapters and in peer-reviewed journals. Her doctoral work focuses on faith and feminism in Pakistan.
