Opening Ceremony of Wake Tailoring and Sewing Center in Renala Khurd Okara by Women Initiative and URI Women Wing Pakistan
COPE Pakistan CC is working with marginalized communities in the area of Anwar Shaheed Colony Renala Khurd Okara. This is an urban area and people have the basic needs of life and facilities such as light, roads, shops, schools, clean drinking water, hospitals, mosques and churches.
But most of all, most women and girls are uneducated and they are without of any skill and learning. They are unaware of their rights. So these women and girls have to work in rich family’s houses washing clothing, washing dishes, and cleaning houses. There is a risk of the owners of the houses blaming them for stealing things, leading to them being arrested by police. So they have to face many problems because they are uneducated and unskilled women, and with it, they belong to poor families.
COPE Pakistan is working hard to bring visible change in the lives of women through rights-based and development initiatives. COPE Pakistan is striving for a society where women do not feel insecure, and where they have a liberty and freedom of expression and can develop themselves without any social and economic obstacles. Our mission is to mobilize and organize women to use available resources and talents to bring visible and measurable change in their lives and in society.
Mr. Asher Nazir, Coordinator of COPE Pakistan CC, shared and discussed these issues and situations with Sr. Sabina Rifat, Coordinator of Women Initiative URI Pakistan. Sr. Sabina Rifat showed her interest and concern for these women and girls. She said that Women Initiative URI Pakistan will work to empower these women and girls through skill and learning. Women Initiative has special focus on organizing women to unite and raise their voice against unjust structures and prejudice against women and religious minorities. So after the written application of COPE Pakistan, Sr. Sabin Rifat opened a sewing center with the approval of Fr. James Channan OP, Regional Coordinator of URI Pakistan, in Anwar Shaheed Colony Renala Khurd.
The opening ceremony of Wake Sewing Center was held on 3rd September, 2016 at Anwar Shaheed Colony Renala Khurd Okara. Sr. Sabina Rifat, Coordinator of Women Initiative; Mr. Asher Nazir, Coordinator of COPE Pakistan CC; Mr. Ferhan, Youth Leader; Pastor Arshad Rufi; Arshad Bibi; Mr. Nadeem; Mr. Rehat, Catechist; and youth members from Potoki were present in this program. Thirty-five women and girls were present from the sewing center and they welcomed all guests with flowers.
In this program, Christian and Muslims women and girls were present and Muslims and Christian girls said prayers in the beginning of the program. Mr. Nadeen Yousaf, Catechist Renala Khurd Parish, welcomed all guests on the behalf of COPE Pakistan CC. Mr. Asher Nazir introduced and welcomed Sr. Sabina Rifat, Coordinator Women Initiative URI Pakistan, Pastor Arshad Rufi, Arshad Bibi, Mr. Ferhan, Youth Leader, and Catechists Mr. Nadeem Yousaf and Mr. Rehat.
With it, Mr. Asher Nazir gave a brief introduction of URI Pakistan and shared the programs and activities of URI Pakistan. Pastor Arshad Rufi said that we came from Potoki and we are working with WAKE CC in Potoki, and we have completed a sewing course by WAKE CC. He said that Sr. Sabina Rifat is doing great work for women and she is playing a strong role in the life of women to empower and unite them.
Arshad Bibi shared her success story with other women and girls. She said that she used to make bricks in a kiln with her family, and that her three daughters were also uneducated and were working with her. But “Sr. Sabin Rifat changed my life. Today I am a skilled woman and my daughters are also skilled, and now we are getting money from this skill and we feel proud and honor. Today I have confidence to do and speak.”
Mr. Ferhan said that we are youth and we have to face many challenges in life. Sometimes we become hopeless and give up. If we want to see success in our life, then we should give more time for work, and if we have no skill, then we should get skills and learning to make our life better.
Sr. Sabina Rifat, Coordinator Women Initiative URI Pakistan, said that if we are united then we can do anything. We have to get education and skills, and then you can stand in this society with pride. Women Initiative URI Pakistan is working to empower women and is uniting women to raise their voices against injustice and domestic violence. Women are the name of love and respect, and women give life to a child.
Sr. Sabina talked about the syllabus and the duration of sewing course with women and girls. She announced that Women Initiative is giving 14 sewing machines for this center.
In the end of the program, Mr. Asher Nazir, Coordinator COPE Pakistan CC, thanked all guests and especially Sr. Sabina Rifat, who gave time for this center and ceremony.
Report prepared by:
Asher Nazir
Coordinator
COPE Pakistan CC
