Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, "Madar-i-Millat" of the nation, this title is given to her in appreciation of the work she has done for the nation side by side with the Quaid-i-Azam to build the nation - just like a mother who cares for all her children.
We as a nation are as children to her. Women must follow in her footsteps and take guidance from that minaret of light, which would lead them to prosperity and status they seek.
Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah is a role model for Pakistani women. She encouraged and led Pakistani women to take part in social and political activities.
She inspired women to come forward in daily life, as well as in politics, to know their rights because once they know their rights, then only will they be able to get them from others. And they can struggle to get their, as well as the rights of other women.
First of all, we, the women, must decide what we want and what are our duties also, because every person who has rights also has to fulfil some duties, which are given to him/her from religion and society as well. The problem today is that we only talk about rights, and only want to precede men. But if we view the entire scenario, we have bigger problems relating to women, beyond the men mania. We have made men something out of this world, for women, which should be changed. Men are, like us, - human beings, the only thing we need is to understand each other and some compromise from both sides in every field of society may it be at home or the work place. Every problem has a solution, which we have to find and the best way to find it is by dialogue between both genders, regarding the issues of life. My viewpoint can easily be understood from Fatimah Jinnah's following speech at the Frontier College for Women, Peshawar, in May 1957, she said: "Women are the custodians of a sacred trust - the best in the cultural and spiritual heritage of the nation. That trust you can only discharge if you are properly equipped for the task of homemaking, according to the concepts and values that your nation holds dear. No one is better fitted for this task than the educated women, because she goes in for education not so much from the utilitarian point of view, as for the enlightenment and edification it affords.
This, however, is not an easy thing to do. It requires considerable courage, character and self-possession, qualities, which once developed in man led to the essential human resistance against temptation - qualities, which were accumulatively known in Islam as the self.
It was this self that helped one to inculcate in oneself that necessary discipline, which assisted one to rise above fear and above flattery.
It gave one the strength to fight the little battles of life. It imparted perseverance, determination and boldness. It gave one the depth of character, and hence, that delightful politeness and humility which prepared one as an integral and useful part of society."
We must portray the positive side of our women such as their participation and contributions in various walks of life. Why do we always portray a woman as a weak person at the mercy of men. Now is the time that we, women must ourselves change this concept. We must help other women realise their potential and provide them with an enabling environment to become vibrant members of society.
Women issues are just as important as other worldly issues; therefore women must stop isolating themselves and their problems by labelling them as women's problems.
If we work towards health, education, economic and social empowerment we will create awareness among the nation and tomorrow 52 percent of our women would play more proactive and major role in country's development. Giving women the equal rights, justice and equal opportunities to participate in all walks of life can only do this.
It is a fact that we have a long way to go to attain the suitable standards in health, science, education, social welfare and other issues related to women, but it does not mean that we are weak and should stop struggling for our due rights.
We must try to improve our status in the society. On the other hand in many Asian and Western countries women have not got their due rights yet even after they practically believe that the women are equal to men in their societies.
Our women, who are participating in workforce or making homes, raising children have been contributing in the progress of the nation in past, present and would be contributing in future as well.
Stereotypical thinking about women should come to an end and this is the collective responsibility of the society to recognise the potential of women and to help them move forward.