Theme: Women Sanitary Workers’ Rights on Mother’s Day
Dated: May 10, 2015
Venue: Mid City Hotel District, Multan, Pakistan
Reported by: Amara tul Saba (RP OFFICER Multan)
Speakers:
- Mr. Sarfraz Clement (Executive Director AAP)
- Mrs. Zahra Sajjad Zaidi (Lawyer and Human Rights Activist)
- Miss Shukuntala Dewi (CE Smajh Sewa)
- Miss Sibo Mai (Sanitary Worker)
Purpose of the Program
Action Against Poverty Cooperation Circle held a program with women sanitary workers in Multan. The purpose of the program was to create awareness among women about their rights in the light of Mother’s Day, and to highlight the importance of mothers.
Starting the Program
The program started with prayer. Miss Saba recited some verses from the Holy Bible.
History of Mother’s Day
Miss Amara introduced the organization and the staff members. Miss Amara highlighted the importance and the reason to celebrate Mother’s Day. She said that no doubt that all the religions and the organizations lay stress on the equal rights, both male and female, but all of these women always are deprived, marginalized, and exploited by males in every sector of life. On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day "as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country.”
Introduction of the Organization AAP and the Importance of Mother’s Day
Mr. Sarfraz Clement (Executive Director AAP) welcomed all the participants and gave a brief introduction to the Action Against Poverty (AAP) organization. He also said that Action Against Poverty has been working for poor, marginalized, and minority communities for the last nine years. Today, our organization celebrates Mother’s Day with female sanitary workers in Multan. They are included in the nation and international mainstream because the AAP organization wants to empower the women sanitary workers of Multan. He also said that we can’t ignore mothers’ advice. Mothers are the nurturers and custodians of their kids and families. It is harder these days for mothers to be with their kids to the extent that they used to be, because generally two parents require working full-time jobs just to stay alive or survive. Mothers are always our very closest and best friends, and Mother is the only person in the world who never deceives her children.
Worldwide Struggle of Working Women Mothers
Miss Amara said in her address that a mother’s heart is always very soft and patient. A mother’s heart is like a rare jewel. Mothers love their kids during the worst troubles and best of times. All mothers are not the same, but all mothers love their children and want to see them happy. Mother is a great gift for us from God. No one can take place of a mother. Some working women minimize the importance of Mother’s Day. If you already are a mother or if motherhood is part of your future plans, here’s why Mother’s Day is an important day for working women. I hope you spent your Mother’s Day with your family and children. If they’re older and live far away, I hope you got a card or a phone call. After all, both you and your children have reason to celebrate on Mother’s Day. You wouldn’t be celebrating the day if not for them. They wouldn’t be here without you! So why is Mother’s Day so important to working women? It’s because your kids are so important to your success.
Importance of Mothers
Miss Amara spoke about how Mother’s Day is a day of celebration for families and their mothers, and a time to reflect on the importance of mothers in people’s lives. The celebration of Mother’s Day is to thank mothers, to make them feel important on that day, and happy about mothering their caring children. Mothers should be pampered by children. The day is celebrated every year, and is held on different dates in varying countries, with some countries also making it a national holiday.
Who is Mother
Sibo Mai told us who Mother is, according to her. There are many definitions of the word mother, and many are applicable. Only those with "closed eyes" can't see that there are many meanings to "mother." A person who gives birth is a mother. A person who raises a child is mother. A person who loves and cares for a child is a mother. A mother is a compassionate person’s shoulder to lean on, and the first person to talk to, in times of crises. A mother is a problem solver, a peacemaker, a sensitive person, and a risk taker.
Mother’s Importance in Daughter’s Life
Naseem Bibi (a sanitary worker) said: “Now may I share a few thoughts with you mothers about the special role you play in your daughters’ lives. We have a family friend who travels often with members of her extended family. Her primary observation after each trip is how much the young women behave like their mothers. If the mothers are thrifty, so are their daughters. If the mothers are modest, so are the girls. If the mothers wear flip-flops and other casual clothing to sacrament meeting, so do their daughters. Mothers, your example is extremely important to your daughters—even if they don’t acknowledge it.”
Song on Mother’s Day
Miss Shakuntala Dewi first told us the importance of mothers and Mother’s Day. “Many things and many people in my life have mattered to me, and many of these same things and people have also affected me in some profound, meaningful, and permanent way. Regardless of this, however, there is one person in my life who has done more for me than anyone else: my mother. It seems that almost everyone thinks that their particular mother is the best one, and they cite thousands of wonderful reasons that make them feel this way. It is undoubtedly true that there are many wonderful mothers out there, and they are all very important to the people that love and care for them. Even though I believe that my mother is great, I never mean to imply that she is better than other mothers. She is, however, better for me because we are so compatible. As long as I can remember, my mother has been there for me. She took care of me when I was little like all good mothers do, but the relationship that we had as I got older was actually more important to me.” And she sang a song.
Documentary and Songs on Mother’s Day.
Mothers enjoyed a documentary on Mother’s Day and their song.
