International Women Day with the theme “Equality for women is progress for all” celebrated at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi to create awareness on women rights & opportunities in social and economical fields of life here on Friday.

Different events/ competitions including, Walk/rally, English & Urdu debates, humorous poetry, regional dress show, songs, musical chair and tug of war were held among the female students of the University. Member National Assembly (MNA) Asia Nasir was the chief guest, while Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR was the guest of honor on the occasion.

The chief guest MNA Asia Nasir in her address highlighted the rights of women and recognition of women work for the welfare of society. She said that the women of Pakistan have made significant contributions to the development of country despite social, cultural and structural constraints. She also stated that most of the women are performing their extraordinary efforts in every field of life including sciences, health, educational sector, etc.

University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad in his address appreciated the role of women in present society and said women are playing a vital role in developing a society. He further said that in Islam women are given Social, Political, Economical rights on equal bases with men and Islam also encourage them to participate for the uplifting of family, society, country and for Ummah as well. He urged young female students to strengthen their capabilities and capacity as the future of society and country depends upon them. Vice Chancellor appreciated the efforts of organizer and urged them to arrange such type of events for female students in future as well. At the end University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad also presented souvenir to the chief guest MNA Asia Nasir.

A walk/rally, which was organized in the University premises in connection with World Women Day to raise public awareness on the gender issues for better work environment and a more socially equitable status for women. In which MNA Asia Nasir, University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, female faculty members and students participated with great enthusiasm.

In debates University students presented about the importance of women in society, their influence, and issues that affect them. Musical Chair competitions among females’ students were also held in which female students participated with very enthusiasm, while in Tug of War competitions matches were held on inter-faculty basis.

In regional dress show students presented the lifestyle & cultural traditions of different provinces/regions of the country. The female students’ of different departments of the University attired in colorful dresses embroidered with traditional motifs and designs participated in the catwalk with traditional background music. The variety show included skits, parodies, plays and mimicry of singers which won a great deal of applause from the audience. A large number of female students and faculty members also attended the function.