article:women's participation in sports by sobia saleem

Article
Sobia Saleem – 2K15/ MC/ 84

BS III
Women's Participation in Sports

Across the country, Pakistani women are clearing hurdles to balance personal, professional, social and volunteer commitments. Women play leading roles in work and family life, but fewer and fewer Pakistani women are maintaining lifelong roles as sport participants and leaders.
Women’s power and influence over sport has been pretty minimal until, say, now. In previous centuries, they gave birth to famous sportsmen and Queen Elizabeth I may have somehow nudged Sir Francis Drake into bowls. Other than that, their position was somewhat sidelined.

Efforts such as this acknowledge that when it comes to participation in sport, males and females are not the same, and a different approach is needed. We should not be going about trying to “fix” the female participation problem by simply trying to replicate what works for men. Instead, we need to create new sporting outlets and come up with innovative ways to encourage women to play more sport.
The participation of women and girls in sports challenges the gender stereotypes and discrimination, and can therefore be a vehicle to promote gender equality and empowerment of girls and women. Participation in sports and physical activity can also facilitate good mental health for women of all ages. It can promote psychological well-being through building self-esteem, confidence and social integration in our women. Promotion of women sports will give our women strength to show their hidden abilities in front of the world. It will allow them to stand with the men in race of progress. They will develop leadership qualities just like the other sports men.

Challenges for Female Participation in Supports:

There are a couple of oft-cited reasons for the disparity. Women, particularly those with young families, simply have less free time than men, goes one. But research says different.

Women are more likely to exercise to keep fit and healthy (56 per cent) than men (43 per cent). They just chose to devote their time to fitness classes such as spinning, yoga and boot camps, or individual pursuits such as walking and running, instead of organized team sports.

A long road has been travelled but there is a good distance yet to travel. More promotion is needed. More investment required. More role models. More opportunities to play.

The alternative is to accept that women just aren’t as sporty as men. If this is the mindset, we will never see the gender gap narrow.

Interestingly, “newer” sports such as triathlon have large female numbers. The amazing grassroots phenomenon of parkrun has a 53 per cent female participation rate of all ages, and is in 55 locations throughout Ireland.

The bigger picture needs to be examined if Pakistan is to produce more brilliant female sports stars. It may not be that women don’t want to play sport, but that the opportunities are still not there at all levels, for all ages.

Profile: mona mahtani by sobia saleem

Profile
by Sobia Saleem – 2k15/MC/84
Class : BS III
Commonwealth Youth Award Winner for Excellence 2016, Mona Mahtani
Many women have contributed to Pakistan's Technology Industry and have made a name for themselves, the concept of Women in Technology or towards Entrepreneurship in Pakistan is a new one. There are several examples of women leading the way in Technology and towards Entrepreneurship. This has led to the growth of the economy from over last few years.The presence of those enthusiastic women has brought prosperity, welfare and as role models have encouraged numerous others to stand up and strive for stunning achievements. Here is the profile of one of the Pakistani game changers and her stories.

Mona Mahtani born in Hyderabad on 8 September 1990. She went to Foundation Public School and then into St. Mary's for basic education.For Higher education, she joint University of Sindh, Jamshoro. In 2010, she was selected for Central Queenland University, Sydney. In 2012, she was chosen for Women Leadership Program in the University of Kansas, Lawrence. Mona, is a United States Alumni. Nowadays she is working with Georg-Eckert-InstitutfürinternationaleSchulbuchforschungShe has received International N-Peace Award from Judy Cheng-Hopkins, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon, N-peace Network is a multi-country network of peace advocates in Asia working on the advancement of women and peace issues. She is an advocate of Inter faith harmony and spends her time running a school and other similar projects advocating peace and educational the youth. She has founded Dewan Farm School in her village, a primary school targeting poor and minority families. Since its establishment, Dewan has expanded its annual attendance from three to 75 pupils. Mona Prakash Mahtani, is only one resident of Hyderabad plus Pakistan, who received the Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence, 2016, in the field of education. The award was given at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London by Youth Affairs Director Katherine Ellis. This award is given to young people under the age of 30 years who have significantly contributed to social uplift. Some 17-young people from 53 Commonwealth countries were selected for the award. Earlier, Mahtani was earlier conferred United Nations Development Program's N-Peace Award.

Nowadays, her ongoing project is "Teach one, Feed one" educational movement. Mona's goal, as a social and child rights activist, is to open up a world of new possibilities to deprive students. “I believe that everyone is creative. She has a very vivid imagination, and creativity. She is a motivational speaker, eloquent orator, enthusiastic presenter. On and off she is invited to different universities and institutions for guest lectures and judge different competitions. She is friendly in nature, and extremely devoted to bring change for deprive people of our country. She is a keen reader and also an excellent writer and a blogger. Precisely, jack of all trades.  Undoubtedly, not less than an inspiration for budding activists who dream to do something big, something different, something better for society.

Interview with Anum Laghari by Sobia Saleem

Interviewer: Sobia Saleem (2k15/MC/84-BS III)

Interview with Anum Laghari. (Young Youth and Social Activist)

 

Dream, Do, Deliver! These three words seems synonymous of AnumLaghari. An excellent orator, enthusiastic social worker, motivational youth facilitator from Hyderabad Sindh. She grew up dreaming to be a social worker to help as many as possible, to lifting up others and transforming their lives, so to turn her dreams into reality, she launched her own forum "IHelp" where youngsters meet and greet for a cause and for helping out in their surroundings and work for the betterment of the society without any greed. When it comes to organizing workshops, fun and learning conferences in Sindh, she always comes up with creative ideas which can help the youth to learn something new. You would be mesmerized to know in just her 22 she has organized many medical camps in ruler areas of Sindh along with numerous successful conferences, travelled around country alone to attend events as youth facilitator and trainer and nowadays she is upto to launch a new project "Street to Classroom" this project would depart basic education in street children.

Who is your inspiration? Who inspired you to be a social activist??
Honestly speaking, I have drawn my inspiration from street children and deprived people of our society. They inspire me do something valuable which make their life at least bit better if not much.

Nowadays, our youth prefers to hangout and partying, in such a young age how you inclined towards social work?
Well, I don't think so any age is young or old to serve humanity. We wouldn't get another chance to live another life. So, it's all depend upon us either to pass out a life for our own self or to use our one and only life to serve others. This perspective of life has inclined me towards social work. 

Due to prevailing stereotypes thinking, our society doesn't see female social activists with respect, how you cope up with this thinking? And What would you suggest to our budding female activists for such circumstances?
You know what, you'll be bashed, you will be mocked, you be will criticized whenever you're doing something better, and if you wouldn't do anything still people will make talks about you, against you. So, people would talk, talk and talk no matter what. Prove yourself, keep moving in achieving, keep moving. Move. Move, and Move, keep remember moving is always ahead, moving is always forward. Don't get disappointed if people are not appreciating your services and work. Keep your vision clear about your cause. Your cause should be always remaining on top that no one would dare to shatter it with hate speech and discouraging words. One day same people will stand and clap for you 

These days our youth is more inclined towards political affliction and have less interest for books, as being youth representative, what do you think, what's causes behind it?
In such young age, usually youth get attracted towards power and fame, and they misinterpret it as well sadly, in absence of proper counselling they indulge themselves in political grounds without of having enough knowledge, awareness and experience. 

Do you think conferences, seminars and workshops are enough for youth empowerment?
Definitely it's not enough! If they are attending such events but don't implement on things which are being taught, then its complete good for nothing. Conferences, seminars and workshops are important for selves grooming, it helps to develop good communication skills, leadership qualities but vision without action is just a mere dream. So, if we really believe in empowerment, and when specifically, we talk about youth empowerment, then we have to appear at the ground, we have to address our issues on grounds rather than making shallow talks. 

Which kind of hurdles one has to face while working for youth and women empowerment in interior?
Due to lack of awareness and education, sometimes it happens even those people for whom you're working or you want to work neglect your struggles, then this is something which may be let our activists down. Another hurdle which usually reported is prevailing authorities like Wadera System would have may stop activists too. But don't underestimate the saying, that all the fingers are not equal, interestingly these two factors which I mentioned earlier would work in different way, they become so supportive, they become your helping hand vice versa.

What steps should be taken to educate and promote youth that force them to come out from their shelter to promote youth empowerment?
First of all, parenting way plays very much vital role in lives. Parents should eliminate all communication barriers and gaps between them and their children. Then education comes, quality education has an ability to change entire world. When these two things emerge together in individual, it makes enthusiastic to jump out from your comfort zone for anything cause, whether be it social, educational, cultural, religious and economical.

What would you suggest to our youth to play progressive role in society? 
Youth needs to realize its worth, and value. Youth is future of our country. Youth is destined to mold future. I would suggest youth to stay clear on their goal and vision. They must keep studying hard meanwhile their academic era so they would be cherished harder after getting done with degree. Never undermine your education. Learn from your failures. Don't get disappointed if you experienced any failure don't keep it in heart, strive hard and one will get through it sooner or later.

feature : The Unsaid Tale of Hyderabad city by sobia saleem

Writer : Sobia Saleem

Roll Number : 2K15/MC/84

Class : B.S III

    The Unsaid Tale of Hyderabad City

Hyderabad formerly known as “Neron Kot” which is famous for its cold breeze. Hyderabad is one of those cities where the magnetic pull of reminiscence can be felt to an utmost, owing to the ever glorious landmarks of a ancient era. It is one of those cities where the past silently tramp along with a noisy and loud present. Apart from its new face where it is adorned with high rise buildings, bustling, busy markets jammed with heavy locomotive traffic; there is another face where the past lurks behind colonial buildings hiding under electrical wires and large hoardings. The same old face can be seen written over the aged, gnarled and wrinkled face of an elderly person who has witnessed it, in all of its glory, and sailed through some of its sadness.

The story of this city traces back to the time of the Arab took over when it was a mere fishing village. It came into eminence when Kalhora ruler Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro established it as a capital of his empire in 1768. Afterwards, it was transferred on to Talpur and into British hands until the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

Despite having a very uneven history, this city has shared many happy and prosperous times as well, like when its streets used to be washed with rose water. It once hosted a large number of gardens that overflowed with green parks where children played and their laughter echoed, and libraries that were overflowing with book, all that were evidence of its splendor and peaceful public life. However, those times seem to have been overlay in dust now.

The majority of this city was partly owing to rich and well-to-do Hindu businessmen and merchants who traded in native goods and exported them all across Europe, Middle East and South East Asia and were generally called ‘Sindhi Workies . Then there were Amils, literate Hindus who first served in Kalhora and Talpur courts and then joined the British civil administration. They built many large buildings ranging from public to private, domestic, religious and welfare types. At the time of partition, most of the Hindu population of Hyderabad left for India, emptying the buildings that were then occupied by refugee families from India.

The British government and civil society also built many distinctive buildings that are scattered across the older sections of the city. The main clusters are located at Tilak Incline, Heerabad, Pakka Qila , market area and Serey Ghat sections. A vast majority of these buildings have now been demolished to the ground due to commercialization and, now, only a handful of them are still standing.

If you take walks from my old campus, past Hyder Chowk, Gari Khata and into an old market that is a thoroughfare for women of Hyderabad also known as Resham Gali. Despite how crowded this particular path is, you will still be struck by the beautiful buildings prevalent here that were built in the pre-partitioned era. Your path will be bordered by books stalls, stationary shops, bakeries and small dhabas along the road. If you look up, you’ll be mesmerized by the magnificent stone work galleries, trellises, floral motifs inscribed on facades, windows, balconies and Jharokas.

Oblivious to the heavy traffic and commercial activity, the silhouettes of these once magnificent buildings have an aura of sadness that swells and seemed to befall the entire area. Occasionally, a window would open up and a woman or a child would peer outside and then close it, leaving the building in its solitude again. Perched above the facades, the pigeons would flap their wings and fly away.

But now, city is losing its charm due to carelessness of authoritities, the rapid destruction of such old buildings is a threat to the city’s vibrant cultural and magnificent heritage. It is time that this risk is soon identified and taken charge of by the concerned authorities.

Otherwise, it’s a saying you must be familiar with it that “History, once lost, cannot be restored.”