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A one day seminar on women empowerment in Pakistan was organized in Faisalabad, Pakistan, on 23rd of April 2009 by Sabina Rifat, Woman Coordinator URI Pakistan. The theme of the seminar was “Self Awareness, Confidence = Gradual success. There was a prayer composed by Sabina Rifat given to each participant, and was recited by all women together. There were 30 women from almost each sphere of life. The educated and illiterate, working and house wives together. A message of peace and harmony from Fr. James Channan, URI Coordinator for Pakistan Region was read to the women. He expressed his best wishes for the success of this seminar and said it will serve as a milestone for the education and empowerment of women in peace building. He said women have imperative role to play in Pakistani society to make it more peaceful and tolerant as they (women) form 51 % of the population of Pakistan. Women must play their full role in every field of life and all possible opportunities should be provided to them. Father George Martin from Cicely, Italy was invited to give a talk and to perform in the program. He is an expert for his preaching through music, songs, puppet shows, yoga and inspiring talks.
Fr George performed with Miss. Nasim Sadiq (a youth leader of URI) and Miss Taneer Johnson, a young student of metric on a song ‘I believe I can fly’. Sabina Rifat read the same song with Urdu translation. It was a very inspiring song with a strong message for women…The song said…‘I believe I can fly’……. Children of “WAKE CC ” (Women And Kids Education CC) presented a tableau ‘let us lit the candles of peace’ the little girls were dressed in very colorful dresses representing different religions i.e. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians with lighted candles.
Miss Alishiba a young lady who is following a beautician course with “WAKE” read the Charter of URI in Urdu for women. Two guests Mrs. Stella Ghori and Miss Jessica Joseph who are living in Italy for the past ten years shared their experiences as a house wife and as a working young lady. The women Participants liked it very much. As the two ladies shared that in Europe women do not waste their time in idle sitting, gossiping or in useless showing off, but they work hard for a better living for their families and become an active and useful member of the society. There the ladies do all the work by themselves. And enjoy equal rights like men.
Then Fr. George Martin gave a talk in which he high lighted that women must have a self examination continuously so they can improve themselves continuously. He gave a practical example to look into the mirror in order to beautify ourselves.
Sabina Rifat told the women how to be strong in their decisions and how to give formation to both girls and boys equally, because after all these are the women themselves who give preference to their male children. A workshop was also conducted for women. Sabina Rifat made three groups of women and gave one question to each group.
The questions were:
What is the real and actual hindrance in your progress? What facilities do you need to improve your work and behavior? What change must be brought in the society to use your creative skills fruitfully? The women came up with solid examples and views about these questions. It was a good chance for them to discuss and realize their problems and find solutions by themselves.
The women took part very actively in the discussion and enjoyed it very much. Then Mrs. Razia Johnson an active social worker and a house wife shared her thoughts and experience with women as a housewife, mother and a social worker. She told women how to keep balance between all these responsibilities.
Through this women were convinced that if they make up their mind and make use of their all abilities and talents they can make the mountains move. They can bring a positive change, peace and harmony, not only in their families but in the society as well
At the end of the seminar one lamp was given to each woman who lit it and with the each burning lamp all women sang together…
I believe I can fly….
I used to think that I could not go on And life was nothing but an awful song But now I know the meaning of true love I'm leaning on the everlasting arms
If I can see it then I can do it If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly I believe I can touch the sky I think about it every night and day Spread my wings and fly away I believe I can soar I see me running through that open door I believe I can fly, I believe I can fly I believe I can fly
See I was on the verge of breaking down Sometimes silence can seem so loud There are miracles in life I must achieve But first I know it starts inside of me oh
If I can see it then I can be it If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly I believe I can touch the sky I think about it every night and day Spread my wings and fly away I believe I can soar I see me running through that open door I believe I can fly, I believe I can fly I believe I can fly
Hey 'cuz I believe in me If I can see it then I can do it If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly I believe I can touch the sky I think about it every night and day Spread my wings and fly away I believe I can soar I see me running through that open door I believe I can fly, I believe I can fly I believe I can fly
Hey if I just spread my wings I can fly I can fly I can fly, hey If I just spread my wings I can fly Fly eye, eye
Reported by: Sr. Sabina Rifat WOMEN COORDINATOR URI Pakistan Faisalabad, Pakistan 23 April, 2009 |
