The establishment of the Provincial Stakeholders Alliance (PSA) marks a significant milestone in advancing the rights and empowerment of women agricultural workers in Sindh. This initiative, launched in Karachi, signifies a pivotal moment in addressing the challenges outlined in the research report titled ‘The Hands that Feed Us: Struggles of Women Agricultural Workers in Pakistan,’ produced by Awaz Foundation Pakistan: Centre for Development Services, NARI Foundation, and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA).
The PSA comprises representatives from diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, bar council, and media representatives, united in their commitment to promote positive change for women agricultural workers. Rural women in Pakistan’s agriculture sector face numerous obstacles such as low wages, malnutrition, discrimination, and exploitation, rooted in patriarchal norms.
The PSA aims to address these challenges by fostering empowerment and advocating for the implementation of the Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act, 2019. In his remarks, Iqbal Ahmed Detho, Chairperson of the Sindh Human Rights Commission, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the rights of women agricultural workers and urged collaboration among stakeholders to ensure their empowerment and well-being.
Detho highlighted the need for effective implementation of existing legislation and underscored the role of the PSA in advocating for policy reforms and coordination among relevant government departments.
Zia ur Rehman, Chief Executive of AwazCDS-Pakistan, outlined the objectives of the PSA, emphasizing its role as a catalyst for positive change. He stressed the importance of prioritizing women agricultural workers’ rights and ensuring the enforcement of relevant laws, including the passage of rules of business for The Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act 2019.
