Workshop on Muslim Women’s Resource Rights Concluded in Lucknow

Workshop on Muslim Women’s Resource Rights Concluded in Lucknow

 A two day workshop on “Capacity building and leadership development of Muslim women towards owning and managing resources was concluded 11th-12th July in Jawaharlal Yuva Kendra,. Lucknow. The workshop  organized by Consult for Women and Land Rights (CWLR) and Bahin with the support of Indo Global Social Service Society (IGSSS sought participation of more than 50 women including NGO partners as well as community women.

Ms.Yasmeen Abrar from National Commission for Women delivered the keynote address saying that " The resource rights of the muslim women is a big question and will not be addressed till the community women take on the initiative by demanding this right at different levels. Islam has never discriminated between men and women and therefore women should see themselves as equal counterparts and demand our rights.". Talking about the leadership building within the community women for raising this issue Ms.Sherifa Khanam from STEPS, Tamil Nadu highlighted the fact that each movement has to undergo its own process and struggles. Taking her own example she shared that the women who wish to take on the leadership must be prepared to face oppositions from different sections of the society and would need to develop skill to deal with it.  

Drawing on the reference from the Sachar Committee Report Ms.Sabiha Hussain from CWDS stated that "Taking specifically about the rights of the Muslim women is significant to address their various concerns regarding, insecurity, livelihood opportunity, decision making power etc". Highlighting the fact that almost 70% Muslim women are home based worker who are not covered under major schemes of the government she laid down the need of amendment in NREG act for inclusion of this section of women. 

The participants together drafted a charter of demand on Muslim Women's Resource Rights demanding their rights within the purview of personal laws as well as the rights as a citizen of the country. This draft would be shared with other organisations and movememts working on Muslim Women's Issue for building a consensus and incorporating their suggestions.

 
Other speakers who presented their opinions were Ms.Meera from Gujrat, Dr.Azra Abidi from Jamia Milia Islamia, Dr.Sabra Habib from Lucknow, Dr.Shakeel Siddiqui from Lucknow and Naaz Raza from Bahin and Ms.Tulika from NABARD.

Report by Ms.Samreen Usmani