The Provincial Advocacy Forum for the Empowerment of Women Agriculture Workers of Sindh convened today at a local hotel in Karachi, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to address the pressing issues faced by women agricultural workers (WAWs) and chart a path forward for their empowerment.
Organized by AwazCDS-Pakistan and NARI Foundation in collaboration with the Sindh Human Rights Commission, the forum included representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), government officials, activists, media personnel, youth, academics, and members of the Women Agriculture Workers Council.
The session was moderated by Barrister Rida Tahir, a Women and Gender Expert, who highlighted the significant work of the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on women’s and children’s rights. She noted that the SHRC has reviewed several laws, including those related to child domestic labor and Sindh Hindu marriage restraint act.
Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Detho, Chairperson of the Sindh Human Rights Commission, informed that the Commission’s focus on promoting and protecting human rights in Sindh.
He shared that the SHRC has expanded the scope of legal aid to include labor and domestic violence cases, beyond its original focus on inmates.
The SHRC has also initiated training programs for Judicial Magistrates on various laws, including the Bonded Labour Abolition Act 2015 and child labor laws. Mr. Detho mentioned that the draft rules for the Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act 2019 had been sent to the Law Department, he suggested that technical expert consultation will be conduct, emphasizing the need for further review and stakeholder engagement in Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act-2019.
He provided insights into the legal framework surrounding bonded labor, referencing Articles 11 and 3 of the Constitution, and discussed the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act of 1992, highlighting the illegality of advances and the development of rules in 1995.
Mr. Detho informed the audience that, following the 18th Amendment, provinces have legislated their laws, with Sindh enacting the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act of 2015.
He also stated that the SHRC aims to develop a bench book for labor-related laws and is committed to creating pro-rights legislation and conducting post-legislation scrutiny, which will be shared with the parliamentary standing committee. He emphasized the importance of developing DVC tracking sheets and noted that SHRC, as an oversight body, can monitor these meetings.
The forum commenced with an opening address by Mr. Zia ur Rehman, Chief Executive of AwazCDS-Pakistan, who emphasized the forum’s objective as a platform to advocate for the rights and empowerment of WAWs in Sindh. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to bring about meaningful change, recognizing the challenges women in the agricultural sector face.
In his remarks, Mr. Rehman stressed that women need more opportunities and highlighted the potential role of the Labour Court in supporting these efforts.
Justice Arshad Noor Khan, Judicial Member of the Sindh Human Rights Commission, shared insights on the role of the commission in addressing the needs of WAWs.
He emphasized the crucial contribution of women workers to the economy and the importance of recognizing their rights and contributions.
Ms. Shahzadi, a member of the Women Agriculture Workers Council from Sukkur, shared her experiences as a laborer, highlighting the struggles and aspirations of women in the agricultural sector.
Her story underscored issues such as low wages, lack of social protection, and limited access to resources and training, emphasizing the real-life implications of systemic barriers faced by WAWs.
Mr. Anwer Mahar from NARI Foundation shared ongoing efforts, including awareness sessions and advocacy forums in Sukkur and Karachi, as well as provincial stakeholder alliance meetings aimed at drafting and implementing relevant rules.
Participants including Malik Tahir from the Labour Rights Forum, Dr. Asghar Dashti, and others appreciated the Sindh Government’s initiatives regarding women’s empowerment.
The forum concluded with a discussion on the way forward, where participants proposed concrete steps to advance the cause of WAWs.
Key recommendations included the need for enhanced legal protection, better implementation of existing laws, increased access to resources and training for WAWs, and continued advocacy and collaboration among stakeholders.
By fostering collaboration, advocacy, and coordinated action, the forum aims to create a more equitable and empowered agricultural sector for all women in Sindh.
