‘Aurat Hunar Mela’ to Highlight Women’s Achievements on March 8

News Desk 

Islamabad: The 10th edition of the ‘Aurat Hunar Mela’ (National Women-at-Work Festival) is scheduled to be held at Lok Virsa, Shakarparian, Islamabad, spanning three days from March 8.

This event, organized by Devcom-Pakistan, aims to showcase the work, products, and services of women, coinciding with the UN’s International Women’s Day celebrated annually on March 8th.

In collaboration with the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) and the Federal Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, this year’s event will feature participation from over 100 marginalized communities and self-employed women from regions such as Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and South Punjab.

The theme for this year, “inspire inclusion,” underscores the importance of embracing diversity and ensuring the representation of women from all backgrounds.

The festival’s program includes performances by women folk singers, exhibitions featuring paintings by women artists, and a conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for Women Development.

This conference aims to recognize and underscore the significance of initiatives by the corporate sector towards the advancement of women’s development, with awards presented to commendable efforts.

Read More:https://thepenpk.com/pakistani-women-artisans-take-center-stage-in-paris/

Devcom-Pakistan, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting and mainstreaming marginalized women’s work since its inception in 2003, initiated the ‘Aurat Hunar Mela’ in 2012 to celebrate and encourage women’s participation across various sectors.

Beginning this year, Devcom-Pakistan plans to introduce CSR awards to acknowledge the corporate sector’s contributions to women’s education, health, skills development, economic empowerment, and the implementation of women-friendly policies and practices.

Munir Ahmed, the Executive Director of Devcom-Pakistan, highlights the pivotal role of CSR in community development, particularly in the education and empowerment of women.

He emphasizes the importance of recognizing CSR initiatives in Pakistan’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advocates for heightened awareness and accountability in this regard.