Awareness programme helps spread the word on Rights of Muslim Women

Lucknow: A day-long first-ever awareness programme for Muslim women was held on Thursday at the State Institute of Rural Development at the behest of the National Commission of Women to sensitize Muslim women on issues related to them and their rights and to guide them on government schemes available to them.

Chief Guest on the occasion, Chairperson National Commission of Women, Rekha Sharma, speaking on the occasion said that the commission was committed to helping women across all religions and strata of society. While hoping for further such programs targeting women from all sections and strata of society, she used this first awareness program for Muslim women so that they could reach out to the particular concerns of Muslim women.

Speaker after speaker at the conference, who included experts on women and Gender Rights, academicians, rights activists, women working with SHGs and Muslim artisans and as social activists.

Organizer of the event, Sabiha Ahmed, member, State Sunni Waqf Board addressing the meet welcomed the attendees and extolled upon the women to take full advantage of the sessions.

Resource persons atvthecsessions included Dr. Shirin Abbas, Gender and Women’s Rights expert, media educator and former journalist, Dr Sonali Roy Choudhury from Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University spoke at length on the Triple Talaq and steps taken by the Government to ameliorate the lot of Muslim women. While the NCW team made a presentation on schemes available for women empowerment currently available through the Central and State agovernment.

Archana Singh of the Sakhi zone luminaries like Shaista Amber,  Farida Jalees,  Tulika Sharma Legal Counsellor NCW.
Archana Singh, speaking about the Sakhi One Stop centre, which located at Krrishnanagar, Lucknow spoke about legal advocacy, counselling and other services available free at the centre for women from all walks of life afflicted bty domestic violence. She said women can use the Helplíne 181 and seek help.

” They will directly be connected to experts on our team for help.” As testimony to their good work several ladies stood up and spoke of their positive experience at the centre and the help extended to them.

Over 100 women had registered for the function that was an innovative first in the area of sensitization and advocacy to Muslim women in the state.