Dedicated libraries for women demanded

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Association)

The speakers at a seminar ‘Role of Libraries in Women Empowerment’ which was held at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on March 26 demanded of the concerned authorities to develop libraries exclusively for women in major cities of the country. 

The seminar, organized jointly by Literary Committee of KPC, National Library Association (NLA) and Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD), highlighted the issues being faced by women library users besides throwing light on the opportunities awaiting them by making frequent use of libraries. 

Revealing that a library exclusively for women has been operating in Balochistan for the past six years, they urged the government as well as other stakeholders were to set up such libraries in various cities to facilitate women in learning and earning. 

Farheen Mahmood, Vice President, NLA, and Principal, Government Degree College, North Karachi, was the keynote speaker in the seminar while the session was presided over by Jahangir Moghul, a renowned social figure and philanthropist. 

The speakers in the seminar included Asma Hassan, a famous motivational writer and author, besides experienced librarians, Muhammad Ibrahim, Huma Mannan Butt, Muhammad Nasir Nayab and Muhammad Amin Jamali. 

The NLA President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, and its Secretary, Anwar Hussain, also spoke on the occasion while the proceedings were conducted by Syed Khalid Mahmood, a veteran journalist and library activist. 

The audience, mostly belonging to the field of library and information science, was enlightened by the thought-provoking narrations by the worthy speakers for about two hours. 

The seminar was organized as part of the International Women Day’s celebrations. Copies of acclaimed book, Mayar-e-Zindagi, authored by Asma Hassan, one of the speakers of the event, was presented to the dignitaries and participants.