The Role of women in the Pakistan Movement

The Role of women in the Pakistan Movement

Muslim women played a worthwhile role in the struggle for the achievement of Pakistan. There were many organizations that were working for the social religious and education uplift of Muslim women at the provincial level. In spite of restrictions and hindrances, they organized public meetings, led processions and opened girl's schools to bring political awareness among them.

In 1935, Begum Jahan Ara, from Punjab founded the Punjab Provincial Muslim woman’s league. It started to play an active role in polities and brought educational and social reforms. She also represented the Muslim women at the three round table conferences held in London’s and she was the first woman to deliver a speech in London’s Guildhall.

Another brave lady Abadi Begum knew as Bi Aman the mother of two brave and noble brothers Moulana Muhammad Ali and Moulana Shoukat Ali told them not to give up their struggle at any cost. Lady Abdullah Haroon of Sindh took a keen interest in female education and other social problems. She exhorted Muslim women to prepare themselves for every sacrifice that might be required of them. In Sindh, the first meeting of women took place at Karachi’s Zoological Garden.

Begum Qazi Isa of Balochistan called upon the Muslim women to join the league and to cease all connections with all other women organizations.  Feroze Bano worked enthusiastically in bringing a large number of Pathan women under the banner of the Muslim league.

On 1st March 1947, the brave Punjabi lady. Miss Sughra Fatima threw away the Union Jack from the Punjab Secretariat building and hoisted the Muslim league’s flag in its place.

Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali worked as an honorary secretary and typist to Liaquat Ali khan at a time. She was also a source to meet with the wife and daughter of viceroy so as to explain their matter and protest. Muslim women did not lag behind and joined hands with men in supervising the arrangement and looking after the refugees on campus. Muslim women also took up the task of providing medical relief to the sick, wounded and maintained refugees in camps.

Finally, Miss Fatima Jinnah, the sister of Quaid-e-Azam remained with her brother during the critical years of stress and strain. It was chiefly due to her initiative that all Indian Muslim women students federation was organized in Delhi. Due to her self less work for Pakistan, the nation of Pakistan conferred upon her the title of Madr-i-Millat.