Students from India, Pak interact through video-conferencing, discuss women’s issues

The cross-border dialogue was organised by NGO Yuvsatta as part of the ongoing activities of the 10th edition of the Global Youth Peace Festival.

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Students of Carmel Convent School interact with the students of Pakistan through video-conferencing during the Global Peace Fest in Sector 9, Chandigarh, on Thursday. (Express Photo by Sahil Walia)

IN A first-of-its-kind initiative, students from the city-based Carmel Convent School on Thursday interacted through video-conferencing with children of KIPS School, Lahore, on issues concerning women in India and Pakistan.

The cross-border dialogue was organised by NGO Yuvsatta as part of the ongoing activities of the 10th edition of the Global Youth Peace Festival (GPYF).

Leading the initiative was Namra Nasir, a research and development associate at KIPS School and GYPF delegate, along with Umar Shuja Kazi from Karachi and Vishal Anand of the Pakistan Hindu Youth Council. “The purpose of this virtual conference is to work towards peace and friendship on either side of the border, to discuss issues of women in both countries in an attempt to initiate a think tank to solve these issues,” said Namra.

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During the interactive session, the students listed out various issues concerning women in both the countries, and put forward proposals to help solve these issues. Gender inequality, domestic violence, sexual abuse and illiteracy were the key topics discussed. The students from Pakistan also spoke about the patriarchal system that prevented the women in rural areas from gaining access to the basic right of education.

“Many women are not even aware of their rights, and fail to raise their voice against such evils. It is very important that we create an awareness amongst women of both the countries to move forward as developed nations,” said Ayesha, a student of KIPS, Lahore.

“As a matter of fact, India and Pakistan are two nations that are very similar in terms of social structure, which is why such discussions help us in better understanding and addressing these concerns,” said Sanvi Agarwal, a student of Carmel Convent School.

Acknowledging the steps like the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and “selfie with daughter”, the students also put forward their solutions to help deal with women inequality. “We need to create more awareness, and we need to educate the women to stand up for their rights. Perhaps the establishment of legally strong women’s bodies will help us in solving these problems,” Sanvi added.

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The students from Pakistan added that special training for women in self-defence would be another way of ensuring women’s security.

Also participating in the cross-border talk were Namrata and Sarita, two students from Mumbai who are associated with NGO Sparsh.

Principal of Carmel Convent School Sister M Swati said, “This interactive session is a great way of bridging the gap between India and Pakistan, and bringing the people of the two nations together in the fight against women inequality.”

American Gandhi Bernie Meyer, who is the ambassador of the Global Youth Peace Fest, was present on the occasion, and encouraged the two countries to establish a framework for peace by creative non-violence.

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