Seeds of Peace, a Pakistan-based Cooperation Circle dedicated to international harmony and cooperation, honored the achievements of 12th-grade student Maria Gill in its celebration of International Women’s Day.
Maria, a young Christian woman living in the Pakistani town of Chak 90 North, Sargodha, “has made a tremendous achievement in sports,” said Naseem George, coordinator for Seeds of Peace.
Naseem added that Maria had honored “her name, her village and her college while holding first position in many games. On March 1, she entered her home holding 12 cups, one shield and 13 certificates, all showing first position on the inter-collegiate level of Sargodha Tehsil, District and Punjab Youth Festival.”
Seeds of Peace recognized Maria’s achievements with an interfaith celebration in her rural village. About 70 women, 15 men and 35 children took part in the event, which took place under a banner reading “Women As Mentors: Building Leadership Together.”
“It was appropriate to celebrate the contemporary achievements of Maria Gill, the daughter of the village,” Naseem said. “Our celebration for the International Women’s Day 2013 was dedicated to women’s achievements, small and great.”
The event began with a recitation of a peace prayer and a description of Maria’s life and activities in the world of sports – as well as her mother’s commitment to Maria’s education.
Other speakers at the event discussed laws protecting women and women’s participation in the political system – particularly in the upcoming elections – as well as the ongoing problem of violence against women.
Most of those in attendance “promised courageously that they will educate their daughters, and will treat their boys and girls as equals,” Naseem said.
Since the March 8 celebration, Maria has been invited to participate in a program for girls and women in the city of Sargodha. About 55 women and young people took part in the event, which featured the achievements of many women throughout the area.
