BY A STAFF REPORTER
ARETSIA, CA - Several dozen Sindhi women and men along with their families here on Mar 7 to celebrate International Women’s Day. The event was organized by the International Sindhi Women Organization. ISWO has been active in the UK and US for the past three years.
ARETSIA, CA - Several dozen Sindhi women and men along with their families here on Mar 7 to celebrate International Women’s Day. The event was organized by the International Sindhi Women Organization. ISWO has been active in the UK and US for the past three years.
“ISWO is playing a unique role in Sindhi Diaspora community by providing oppurtunities to strengthen the bonds with countless Sindhis that migrated during partition,” said Samina Panwhar, President of ISWO US, emphasizing the organization’s vision. She highlighted ISWO’s activities in policy and advocacy as well as grassroots level efforts. The organization identifies women’s issues and links them with specific policies in order to demand tangible action from the concerned authorities. “The Dancing Girl statue of the Indus Civilization is a symbol of freedom for the women of our heritage, and we ought to bring that symbolic value back into our society,” further said Panwhar.
Emcee Sobhya Agha welcomed the guests and said, “Today is the day to appreciate the respect, achievements, and love towards women. We are delighted to have Sindhi women from various backgrounds to celebrate the bond of Sindhi culture.”
Dr. Sarina Chugani Molina, Assistant Professor at the University of San Diego, delivered a multi-media presentation illustrating her family’s journey through different parts of the world and the cultural enrichment in the process that shaped her education, learning, and identity. She admired the adaptability of people with Sindhi roots and how they accommodate other cultures and are capable of making good lives for themselves in any part of the world. She also presented a beautiful poem portraying her migration through three continents titled “A Homeless Refugee.”
Kavita Tekchanchandani, a lawyer described the sad story of Kainat Soomro, a Sindhi woman who is struggling to seek justice for a gang rape she experienced at the age of 13. Her case is a typical example of the limitation of the Pakistani judicial system and the lack of scienfic approaches such as DNA as the primary evidence, making it almost impossible to get a fair trial for any rape victims.
The award winning documentary film ‘Outlawed in Pakistan,’ depicting the story of Soomro, was screened on this occassion.
Benazir Shaikh closed the event with thankful remarks to the community of Southern California for their ongoing support and their contributions towards ISWO’s causes. The entertainment program also included a classical dance performance by Dr. Meena Makhijani and Sindhi music by Sarla Sippy. A fundraising drive to support Kainat Soomro was also part of the event. Other organizations that supported the event included the Sindhi Association of Southern California, World Sindhi Congress, and Sindhu Center.
Emcee Sobhya Agha welcomed the guests and said, “Today is the day to appreciate the respect, achievements, and love towards women. We are delighted to have Sindhi women from various backgrounds to celebrate the bond of Sindhi culture.”
Dr. Sarina Chugani Molina, Assistant Professor at the University of San Diego, delivered a multi-media presentation illustrating her family’s journey through different parts of the world and the cultural enrichment in the process that shaped her education, learning, and identity. She admired the adaptability of people with Sindhi roots and how they accommodate other cultures and are capable of making good lives for themselves in any part of the world. She also presented a beautiful poem portraying her migration through three continents titled “A Homeless Refugee.”
Kavita Tekchanchandani, a lawyer described the sad story of Kainat Soomro, a Sindhi woman who is struggling to seek justice for a gang rape she experienced at the age of 13. Her case is a typical example of the limitation of the Pakistani judicial system and the lack of scienfic approaches such as DNA as the primary evidence, making it almost impossible to get a fair trial for any rape victims.
The award winning documentary film ‘Outlawed in Pakistan,’ depicting the story of Soomro, was screened on this occassion.
Benazir Shaikh closed the event with thankful remarks to the community of Southern California for their ongoing support and their contributions towards ISWO’s causes. The entertainment program also included a classical dance performance by Dr. Meena Makhijani and Sindhi music by Sarla Sippy. A fundraising drive to support Kainat Soomro was also part of the event. Other organizations that supported the event included the Sindhi Association of Southern California, World Sindhi Congress, and Sindhu Center.
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