Cultural Barriers, Societal Dogmas Hamper Women Empowerment

Wraa Noor

Peshawar: Our women are empowered through religion but they suffer due to cultural barriers which are confused with religious beliefs, opined experts.

Speaking at a panel discussion, experts stated that it is not a gender war but rather a mindset war because regressive beliefs are held not only by men but by women as well.

A panel discussion was conducted by Research Education & Development (R.E.D) International under its “Her Own Campaign’ on February 23 at National Incubation Center, Peshawar (NIC).

R.E.D International Executive Director Bismah Mirza moderated the discussion which focused on what can be done to make opportunities more accessible for the females. The panel talked about empowerment and what empowerment our women needs.

The panellists include Former MPA Asia Saleh Khattak, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Commission on Status of Women (KPCSW) Member Aasiya Khan, Unidesk Founder Karishma Zaka Ullah, Fast Move Packages Founder and CEO Afshan Khan, Ain Consulting CEO Quratul Ain Mumtaz, and UN Women KP Head of Sub Office Zainab Qaiser Khan.

Panelists further said that many people believe that when we progress or break the norms, we face challenges, and if these obstacles are seen as challenges that females face regardless of which part of the world they belong to, it becomes easier to overcome. However, awareness needs to be created regarding women’s rights and we have to guide our men along this path.

NIC Peshawar Director Asim Khan appreciated the R.E.D’s initiative and explained how NIC is promoting entrepreneurship and working spaces for women as well.