'Women's inaction major barrier to empowerment'.

KARACHI -- Speakers at a conference, which opened at the NED University of Engineering and Technology on Friday, urged women to shun passivity, come forward and fight for their rights and empowerment.

Titled 'Perceiving women empowerment in a changing global scenario', the conference organised at NED University's main campus features several prominent speakers including Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, senior architect Yasmeen Lari, Haseena Moin, Noorul Huda Shah, Farhat Ishtiaq, Dr Spenta Kakalia and Dr Hina Hussain Kazmi.

In her inaugural address, retired Justice Nasira Iqbal, the chief guest, regretted inaction on part of women and said their status couldn't change in society unless they were aware of their rights and ready to take action for their empowerment.

'Women's inaction and passivity is the biggest barrier to their empowerment. Women must take action on women's issues,' she emphasised.

In her speech, Dr Masuma Hasan, chairman of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs and Pakistan's former ambassador to Austria, said though the situation had changed positively for women, particularly due to urbanisation, women still had a long way to go as there were many concerns regarding women empowerment requiring attention.

She was appreciative of the struggle and initiatives women had taken up in different spheres of life and said the conference would also provide a platform to celebrate women's achievements.

In her speech, Barrister Shahida Jamil, former law minister, emphasised...