Latest news with #Tehreek-e-Niswan
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Social advocacy group attacked in Ghotki
Members of the Tehreek-e-Niswan, a cultural and social advocacy group, were attacked by alleged robbers near Ghotki while they were touring rural Sindh to raise awareness about mental health issues. However, no case has been registered by local police. Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday, Tehreek-e-Niswan founder Sheema Kermani said that the attack took place two days earlier during the group's campaign to destigmatise mental health in rural Sindh. "Our team was attacked by armed men. One of our colleagues was shot in the hand and another in the leg. It is a miracle that we survived," she added. Kermani expressed outrage over the police response, saying that instead of registering an FIR, police questioned why they were traveling at night. "This response reflects the broader issue of impunity and negligence towards those working for social change," she added. Tehreek-e-Niswan, which has performed over 100 plays highlighting the brutal tradition of Karo Kari (honour killings) in rural Sindh, had recently shifted its focus to the growing crisis of mental health, aiming to engage people through street theatre and interactive performances. Kermani said that Tehreek-e-Niswan operates within the framework of the Constitution and advocates peace, justice, and equality through art. "We believe every citizen has the right to live without fear and to move freely within the country," she said. She called upon the Sindh government and police to take immediate action. "We demand a transparent investigation into the attack, compensation for our losses, and protection for our team. The cycle of violence and intimidation against social workers and artists must end." While responding to a question, Kermani suggested that the assault might not have been a random act of robbery. "There is a possibility that this was a targeted attempt to silence us for speaking out against Karo Kari and other entrenched social injustices," she said.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Aurat March put off in repect of Ramazan
The "Aurat March", this year, will be held in Karachi on May 11, 2025 instead of International Women's Day, in view of respect for the holy month of Ramazan. Our movement will also raise it's voice regarding the missing persons in Balochistan, as well as the struggle ongoing in Palestine and Ukraine. These views were expressed by the organizers of the Aurat March while holding a press conference on Women's Day at the Karachi Press Club. On this occasion, social activist, classical dancer and founder of the Tehreek-e-Niswan, Sheema Kirmani, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that this year, they are not organizing the Aurat March on Women's Day, but will organize it on May 11 in Karachi to pay tribute to the struggle of our domestic workers. She explained that women working in homes told her that it is very difficult for them to leave their homes during this month, so they decided that since the month of May is important with regard to Labor Day and International Mother's Day and the biggest worker in our society is women, the Aurat March should also be organized in this month.
