Woman Empowerment

Women Empowerment

By

Sadaf Fayyaz

(Published in She August Issue)

Gender equality is considered to be the vital concern in the development and welfare of a nation. Therefore, a nation must invest in women’s empowerment for the utmost development and welfare. A nation cannot move ahead without utilizing the experience and knowledge of both the genders. A politically and economically stable society is only assured if these forces are used effectively. Women empowerment is not only restricted to control over financial independence only, but it is a fusion of literacy, employment and health. Women empowerment has a positive relationship with the well being of their families and betterment of their country. Upon asking certain female celebrities belonging to different professions like show business, fashion, life style, management, music and entertainment, they shared their views on Woman Empowerment with us:

 

“Get educated mothers to teach the benefits of education to ignorant mothers. I think it could be a great way of enlightening women and girls.” Shakila Ahmed (Singer & Musician) 

“The issue of human rights and women’s rights is an issue of the greatest importance for Pakistan today. It is so important because -first and foremost - in order to make Pakistan a strong, self-respecting, self-sustaining country, it is essential to build its moral foundations and this cannot be done until justice is done to those who are the weakest and the most vulnerable in society. Abraham Lincoln had said that a nation could not survive half-slave and half-free. Likewise, without establishing gender equality and gender-justice, Pakistan can never become what Allama Iqbal and the Quaid-e-Azam wanted it to be. Economic and military strength, important as they are, cannot stem the rot that has set in through a long period of intellectual myopia and moral bankruptcy. The only way the process of ruin can be reversed is by building, brick by brick, a tradition of respecting the fundamental human rights of all citizens and residents of Pakistan, irrespective of gender, class, and ethnic, sectarian or religious difference.”  Mehrunnisa Hassan (Model, Actress, Classical Dancer and Singer)

“The empowerment of women and the improvement of their political, social, economic and health status is a highly important end in itself. In every society empowering women is a huge resource for social change and the broader fight against global poverty. It is essential for the achievement of sustainable development.” Sobia Nazir (Fashion Designer)

“I believe all women have 'empowerment' within themselves - they just need to recognize their strength and the contribution they are already making on a daily basis to the betterment of our country, as mothers, sisters, teachers, career women etc. The environment and opportunities need to be made more beneficial so that the power within women can surge to the surface. There are many draconian laws relating to women that need to be repealed in Pakistan - this is one of the major ways in which 'empowered' women of Pakistan can make a change for betterment of our country. Women also need to ensure that the correct and equal recognition is given to them as respected, honored and dignified citizens of Pakistan, This recognition needs to be given, starting from the government corridors all the way to individual households.”  Fariha Rashed (CEO Ink Magazine & National Communication Manager Red Bull)

 “In my view, for development and betterment, Pakistan needs a value system that fights corruption not only at the organizational level but also at the level of the institution called the 'family'. If women contributed to the income in the family and (as wives and mothers) instilled the right values, there's hope for things to move in the right direction. The question is whether they are empowered enough through education, career opportunities and an equality-status in the family to do this? Perhaps not! But it’s never too late to start.”Kehkashan Awan (Former Actress and now Industry Consultant at SIRAAT)

“Women Empowerment, for me means, when a woman walks side by side a man in all walks of life. As women if we are not equal then there is no way the world can progress. Woman empowerment means that a woman should not be discriminated in what work she chooses to do, what she wears and should not be tied down to traditions of a culture. She is free and thus can contribute equally as any male member of the society. Without women's empowerment, no country will progress as society needs women to educate, improve on her children, as well as sow the seed for tomorrow, which again means women should be educated and encouraged for further education. A child's education starts at home, and if you have an educated mother, the child is enriched. A man who can lose his job tomorrow can also rely on his wife for support, hence going through fewer traumas in life. Both as equal partners can contribute to a better world.”Sonia Ahmed (President - Miss Pakistan World and Mrs. Pakistan World)

“Women are as powerful and important in the development of our country and the uplifting of society as men. In fact one educated and empowered woman not only changes her own life but also that of her entire family and her future generation.” Nadya Mistry (Fashion Designer)

Until a woman doesn’t feel self-satisfied, she cannot contribute anything towards her family
so the ratio is one unhappy female = 5 unhappy family members.” Mona Jamal (Makeup Artist)

Interview with Fariha Rashed

Published in The Saturday Post Issue 201

Meet Fariha Rashed, the owner and CEO of a quarterly, in print magazine called Ink. She is a freelance writer and has written for many publications like Libas, FAQ, The Khaleej Times, Times of India, Anokhi Vibe, Lucire, and Images (Dawn). She has quite a diversified profile and various interests. She is a senior partner at Pitch Media Inc., a project she runs with her design partner. Read more to learn more about Fariha’s projects and where she derives her inspiration from.

By Sadaf Fayyaz

 

 

 

How would you introduce yourself and your work to our readers?

I would introduce myself as a person who is passionate about any work she takes up, especially when she initiates something herself, such as Ink [a quarterly, print & online, entertainment based magazine]. Ink is a labor of love. :)

Tell us something about your education and childhood.

I was moving around a lot from country to country as my father was in Foreign Service. Hence, I have studied in many different systems across the world. As a child, I was also very quiet and reserved.

When did you start writing? What was the inspiration behind it?

I began writing after I graduated from Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) in 2003. I was inspired by fashion, and wrote most articles related to the topic when I started out as a freelancer.

Tell us something about INK.

 

 

It was launched in the market in November 2008. It’s a quarterly, print and online [http://www.ink-on-the-web.com] magazine which covers all aspects of entertainment, locally and internationally. We have writers from and correspondents based all around the world. Our tagline is 'Whatever Entertains You' and every Ink issue has a new theme, based on entertainment.

What is the motivation and inspiration behind INK?

The motivation comes from the will to bring something new into the market. The inspiration is all the great talent inherent in Pakistan.

Tell us something about your freelance work.

Before I began Ink, I had been writing as a freelancer for various local and international publications for five years.

What is your biggest passion?

Doing something worthwhile in life!

Discuss your work on "Mind The Gap" and "A Mighty Heart". How was the experience?

“Mind The Gap” was a talk show of sorts, dealing with the communication gap inherent between children and their parents, due to the age gap. It was a show I worked on as a part of the Production team, while working at GEO TV some years ago. The show was aired and I believe was quite a success. The experience was exciting!

I worked as Assistant Costumes, for the movie “A Mighty Heart”, while Director Michael Winterbottom was shooting in Pakistan for three days. The experience was eye-opening as for the first time I realized and learnt what a professional, united team works like.

Tell us something about your art work. How do you define art in your own words?

Art is something I always did as a hobby, as it relaxes me. For me, art is best explained in Eckhart Tolle's words, "All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness."

Out of painting, writing, photographing, editing, fashion designing, which acumen defines you the most? Why?

All of them put together define me best and most accurately, I can never be happy pursuing one path only.

What acts as your source of inspiration?

Hard work and dedication!

Tell a little about your work at Pitch Media Inc.

Pitch Media Inc. is a project by Ink, it is primarily a design and PR company run by myself and my partner Haroon Khan who is a graduate [with honors] of NCA. He takes care of the design side and I take care of the PR / Marketing side. We create brand identities, layouts and designs for print & electronic media, written content and much more.

Having a diverse profile, how would you explain your family's support towards your career?

My family has always been supportive. They like to see me work hard and do what I love doing. They have never tried to discourage me from anything. My mother and sister in particular have been amazing support systems throughout.

Any obstacles so far, that you faced being a female?

Not really - you have to stand your ground and be confident as a human being and everyone will respect you, whether you are a man or a woman.

How much do you believe in woman empowerment?

I believe every woman is empowered - she just has to recognize and act on it.

How do you take critiques on your work?

I welcome them, as long as they are constructive.

What is your biggest desire and expectation from life?

Well, my biggest desire is to succeed at every step of life.

What is your message for the readers of The Saturday Post?

Thank you for reading through this interview and God Bless!