Activists Call for Urgent Implementation of Laws to Address Social Injustices
Karachi, 12 September 2024: During a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Akram Ali Khaskheli, president of the Hari Welfare Association, highlighted the significant hardships faced by women and girls in Sindh due to oppressive social, economic, and political systems controlled by feudal lords.
Khaskheli emphasized that the non-implementation of pro-peasant laws, such as the Sindh Bonded Labour System Abolition Act of 2015, continues to victimize women in rural areas. He reported that between 2013 and 2023, 12,116 bonded laborers, including 33% women, were released from landlords’ custody, illustrating widespread exploitation and abuse.
Samina Khasakheli, Joint Secretary of the Azad Hariani Labor Union, criticized the Sindh government’s minimum wage policy, stating that agricultural workers often earn less than 10,000 PKR per month while working long hours. She noted that women in districts like Tharparkar and Sanghar face dire conditions, lacking basic health and education services.
Hasna Chand, President of the Latif Hariani Labor Union, warned that the absence of robust economic recovery plans for women in agriculture exacerbates ongoing poverty and health issues, including nutritional deficiencies.
Activists called for immediate action to enforce the Sindh Agricultural Women Act 2019, which aims to provide essential rights and protections for women in farming and labor. They urged the government to support small business initiatives for women to enhance their economic independence.
The press conference also highlighted alarming statistics regarding child marriages in Sindh, with 645 cases reported from 2014 to 2022, underscoring the need for better enforcement of protective laws. Activists stressed the importance of implementing existing legislation to safeguard women’s rights and improve their quality of life in Sindh.
