13 Mar Sindh’s Survival at Stake: Women Workers Rally Against Corporate Land Grabs and Indus water Theft

Sindh’s Survival at Stake: Women Workers Rally Against Corporate Land Grabs and Indus Water Theft

Karachi (PR): Reactionary social norms and economic oppression had relegated women to second-class citizenship. Meanwhile, increasing environmental destruction, the capture of water resources, and the seizure of agricultural land had further worsened their plight. Women’s struggle was not only against social and economic inequalities but also for climate justice. True social, economic, and climate justice could only be achieved by dismantling the capitalist and feudal structures that sustain systemic oppression.

These views were expressed by speakers at the “Mehnatkash Aurat Rally”, organized by the Home-Based Women Workers Federation Pakistan on International Women’s Day. Thousands of women participated in the rally, which began at the Boy Scouts Auditorium and was led by Comrade Zahra Khan, General Secretary of the Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF).

Class Resistance Against the Looting of the Indus River, Our Land, and Our Environment

The gathering culminated at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, where leaders of women’s, labor, and human rights organizations addressed the participants. They highlighted the growing gender oppression, regressive social attitudes, and increasing insecurity for women.

Speakers’ Statements

Comrade Zehra Khan (HBWWF General Secretary)

She highlighted the adverse impact of the 2022 floods on Sindh, stating that displaced populations were still homeless. She condemned the encroachment of Sindh land and vowed to resist projects such as the 6 Canal project.

Nasir Mansoor (National Trade Union Federation General Secretary)

He pointed out that the Indus River is being blocked under the pretext of water management, leading to the desertification of 4.9 million hectares of agricultural land in Sindh.

Noorul Huda Shah (Renowned Writer)

She criticized the federal government’s 6 Canal project, calling it a threat to Sindh’s survival and urging women to raise their voices against the injustice.

Asad Iqbal Butt (Human Rights Commission of Pakistan)

He warned that Karachi, being at the tail-end of the Indus River, would suffer the most from the 6 Canal project.

Mehnaz Rehman (Renowned Journalist and Activist)

She emphasized that climate change is diminishing women’s economic, social, and legal powers, calling for an end to reliance on fossil fuels.

Kami Sid (Transgender Activist)

She called out the capitalist system for fostering self-centered mindsets and urged consideration of transgender needs in climate policies.

Call for Solidarity

The Mehnatkash Aurat Rally urged the people of Punjab and progressive forces across Pakistan to stand in solidarity with Sindh.

Demands of the Rally

• Stop the blockade and theft of Indus River water.
• Ensure fair distribution of water under the 1991 Water Accord.
• Guarantee living wages for women workers and eliminate gender-based wage disparities.
• Abolish all discriminatory laws against women and transgender persons.
• Protect women from workplace harassment and enforce anti-harassment committees.
• Implement land reforms and allocate land to landless women farmers.
• Register all workers in social security and pension schemes.
• Increase maternity leave for working women.
• Enforce an 8-hour workday and weekly holidays.
• Establish childcare centers at workplaces.
• Ensure proportional representation of women in all institutions.
• Recover all missing political and social activists.
• Promote girls’ education and increase girls’ schools.
• Abolish the contract labor system and provide permanent employment.
• Complete the registration process for domestic workers and legislate for their rights.
• End media restrictions and censorship.
• Stop the leasing of agricultural land to foreign entities.

Speakers

Other notable speakers included:

• Fatima Majeed (Senior Member, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum)
• Subhagi Bheel (Sindh Agriculture General Workers Union)
• Saira Feroz (Home-Based Women Workers Garment Union)
• Hani Baloch (Zadman Welfare Association)
• Jameela Abdul Latif (General Secretary, Home-Based Bangle Workers Union, Hyderabad)