After 1980 home based work has increased rapidly in the world especially in South Asia. Pakistan is one of those countries where a large number of women are engaged in home based work. These women are the most unprivileged part of the society. They have no social and legal recognition of their work. They are working in isolation and have no rights as workers by law. These workers need support to forge their struggle to claim their rights. That would only be possible when they will organize themselves in form of their own union.

2008

On the occasion of world’s women day, WWHL organized and devotedly contributed in a seminar and rally, under the supervision of Ms. Azra Shad (Chairperson WWHL) at Mahfil Auditorium, Lahore. Seminar was named as “Strong Women, Stronger Democracy”. More than two thousand women and men attended the seminar and participated in rally.

The women demanded an instant removal of current political setup, outdated traditions, discriminative laws against women, inflation, Musharraf’s Dictatorship, non-legacy and terrorism. They also wanted real democracy for the economic and social prosperity of the women of Pakistan. A lot of banners were hanging in the auditorium with the captions of women’s political, social and economic rights such as “Adlia ki Bahali, Aurat ki Khushhali”, “women strong, the democracy stronger” and “Haaye Haaye mar gai Mehnghai”.

On this occasion, Bushra Khaliq (Secretary General WWHL), Advocate Rabeea Bajwa, Riffat Maqsood, Azra Shad (Chairperson WWHL), Amna Masood and Farooq Tariq (Labour Party Pakistan) also addressed the participants. They said that today the women are very strong and we can see their effective participation in all the areas of life. They told about the importance of this day and appreciated the way women are contributing in bringing the change in the society. They said that today it is not possible to make progress without women participation side by side with men.

In one of largest mobilization of working women in form of a rally (in Lahore) in connection with international women day on March 8, 2008, women demanded the end of Musharraf regime and to make the women an effective representative in the politics of the country. They also shout slogans against the dictatorship and demanded the urgent release of the missing people in Pakistan.  They said “we will not tolerate a regime of stick and bullet”. They were carrying banners and play cards like “Strong Women, Stronger Democracy”, “Go Musharraf Go” etc. Ms. Bushra Khaliq also addressed the rally and motivated them to be strong and become ready to bring the change in the society.

In one of largest mobilization of working class women in Lahore in connection with international women day on 8th March 07, women demanded peace and workers unity. They demanded better wages and equal rights. Over 1200 women participated from Kasur, Lahore, Gujranwala, Toba Tek Singh in a rally from Mehfil auditorium to Shimla Pehari Chowk Lahore chanting slogans of women for peace and workers unity. They raised slogans against military regime and said we will not tolerate a regime of stick and bullet. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans e.g. decent work decent wages, implement ILO convention 177 that give rights to home based workers, No to Hadood Ordinance, Repeal discriminatory laws, Equal rights for women, Power to the women, introduce social security policies for home-based workers.

Rally was organized by Women Workers Help Line (WWHL) in connection with international women day.  The participants of the rally were raising full-throat slogans against the anti-worker policies of Mushraff regime and in favor of their demands. Despite repeated efforts by the police to stop the rally, the participants kept on marching, braving their way to Lahore Press club. They made a brief sit-in in front of the press club where WWHL chairperson Azra Shad and general secretary Bushra khaliq addressed the participants of the rally. They said home-based women workers are being exploited by the middlemen, traders through neo-liberal policies. Women are contributing to national economy in big way but they have been kept marginalized by the anti-worker policies of Mushraff regime.  But, they said, these women are conscious about their rights and that is why they have taken the streets to secure their just rights, they added. They made it clear that the government would be compelled to meet women workers demands.

Speaking on the occasion Farooq Tariq from Labour Party shed light on how this day came to be observed. "It dates back to 1820. On March 8 that year women in tailoring sector in Britain first went on strike for better working hours. And they got it. He also added that women workers are working under tough conditions and are denied their basic and labor rights by the traders and factory owners. He said the contractors and factory owners must provide social security cards to the home-based women workers. He urged the government to repeal the Hudood Ordinance and meet the demands of women workers in the informal sector.

Earlier speakers at a seminar on “Home-based women workers and their rights” organized by WWHL, stressed the need for peace and unity among women workers. Among those who spoke on the occasion include Justice (Retd) Nasira Javed Iqbal, Tahira Mazhar Ali Khan, Mehboob Ahmed Khan, Farooq Tariq and revolutionary poet Baba Najmi.

Justice (retd) Nasira Javed Iqbal speaking on the occasion said the incidents of violence against women are on the rise and there is a dire need to provide legal security to women against violence of all sorts. For the purpose government must go for legislation on this serious social issue. She urged the women not to remain silent on the atrocities committed against them and forge unity among their ranks to wage struggle for their rights. She condemned the redundant and anti-women traditions like; marriage with Holy Quran, Wani and honour killings. She urged the women workers to organize themselves in order to get their rights.

Tahira Mazar Ali Khan addressing the jam-packed auditorium said women workers are highly marginalized and they are being exploited by the capitalist forces. They can get their rights only if they are organized and unionized, she opined. She said women want peace and they are against war mongering. She urged the governments of India and Pakistan to refrain from issuing statement fanning war hysteria.

A solidarity message from president All India Progressive Women Association, Sri Lata Swami was read out, in which she urged the women of Pakistan and India to wage joint struggle against feudalism and capitalism. In her message she also urged the governments of Pakistan and India to stop policies promoting war culture.

In one of largest mobilization of working class women in Lahore in connection with international women day on 8th March 07, women demanded peace and workers unity. They demanded better wages and equal rights. Over 1200 women participated from Kasur, Lahore, Gujranwala, Toba Tek Singh in a rally from Mehfil auditorium to Shimla Pehari Chowk Lahore chanting slogans ‘women for peace and workers unity’. They raised slogans against military regime and said we will not tolerate a regime of stick and bullet. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans e.g. decent work decent wages, implement ILO convention 177 that give rights to home based workers, No to Hadood Ordinance, Repeal discriminatory laws, Equal rights for women, empower the women, introduce social security policies for home-based workers.

Women Workers Help Line organized a seminar on Hudood Ordinance and women rights at WWHL office. Around 120 women from all walks of life attended the seminar. The issues like denial of equal wages and rights to workingwomen were described in detail.

Speaking at the occasion women rights activists urged the immediate repeal of Hudood Ordinance. Azra Shad, Bushra Khaliq, Riffat Maqsood, Jalvat Ali and Faroq Tariq spoke at the seminar.

International Women Day Rally

After the event of seminar in connection with women Day WWHL took out a big rally under the main banner of Repeal Hudood Ordoinance from Press club to Faisal Chowk. More than 500 women participated in rally. The police at Egerton Road prevented the rally. After the refusal of police to allow taking out the procession, the participants dispersed peacefully. The participants were holding placard and enchanting slogans against all discriminatory laws against women.