An exhibition with the theme, ‘From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women’ as well as ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence’ was held at Nomad Gallery in collaboration with United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), The aim of the event was to bring together women, peace and human rights movements to challenge militarism and sexual and gender-based violence committed by state agents, particularly police and military.
A large number of wall paintings inviting participants to voice against gender-based violence, political cartoon exhibition by Akhtar Shah as well as live classical performance by Sumaira Aleem and M Ajmal mesmerised the visitors. An art exhibition titled ‘From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World’ containing around 20 artists’ work highlighted sexual violence and political violence against women, including pre/during/ post-election violence, on the first day.
All activities were organised under one roof with the title ‘Aman Shanakht Banao’ (Let peace be your identity) which was inaugurated by MNA and chairperson, National Commission on Human Development (NCHD), Nafisa Shah, along with Alice Shackelford, country director, UN Women. Local artists, human rights activists and students attended the first day activities of ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence’.
The participants received much amusement at the lush green garden at dinner tables when a few males and females with dholaks (small drums) in their hands thronged Nomad Gallery’s entrance to collect some money considering the event as a wedding ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, NCHD Chairperson Nafisa Shah said that though the government had achieved a milestone by passing three pro-women bills in its tenure, women continued to suffer and a radical change was required in the country and in the mindset of society.
Shah said it was a time ripe enough for everyone to realise his responsibilities and let women play their role in the progress and prosperity of the society.
She was happy that women of today were more aware of their rights than ever before. “We have a woman speaker in NA with 77 female members; similarly in the Senate, there are 17 women senators, which is a positive sign and reflects women’s active participation in running the affairs of the country,” Shah said.
The mural will remain open for comments/artworks till December 10 (Human Rights Day).
The artists whose paintings were displayed were Najam-ul-Hassan Kazmi, Anjum Ayub, Samreen Asif, Nadeem Ahmed, Zaira Zaka, Asadur Rehman, Salma Manzoor, Nasir Malik, Ufaq Ehsan, Mubasshir Iqbal, Rifat Khattak, Nasreen Aurangzeb, Arjumand Awan, Tabassum Rizvi, Zia Zaidi, Abbas Shah, Sumera Javed, and Humera.
The multimedia presentation titled ‘Reality Check’ based on the news clips from different TV channels, showing the volume of sensational news reporting, was also screened on the occasion,.
The other feature of the event was political cartoons by Akhtar Shah. Live performance by Sumaira Aleem (on sitar) and youngster M Ajmal (on tabla) also enthralled the audience.
Talking to this scribe, Nomad Gallery director Nageen Hayat said, “our purpose is to create an awareness of the dangers that are lurking due to the ease of monitoring and stalking and how women can keep themselves secure and safe. We also wish to make women and girls realise that they can harness art and empower themselves to share and communicate and create safe environments,” Nageen said.
The artists on the occasion felt that there was a much scope in local communities for fostering a greater sense of compassion, generosity and kindness. “This exhibition and all other activities promote peace, interfaith harmony and tolerance—the ingredients much needed to Pakistanis as a nation. It is great to be here and watching out these canvases. And yes, we should eradicate all kinds of violence against the weaker sex—woman,” Najam Kazmi, an artist, commented. On December 7, Nomad Gallery will launch a calendar, poetry recital and a documentary on working women. On December 10, it will hold a craft mela and fundraiser for supporting women’s rights and live performance by two well-known artistes, Nageen said.