ISLAMABAD: The role of women in the overall development has remained significant throughout the human history. Like many other nations, the history of Pakistan has also witnessed its women actively took part in the freedom movement to create a new motherland for their next generations. Throughout the independence movement, women were side by side with men in crafting the future of Muslim India. Notable figures like Amjadi Begum, Fatima Jinnah, and Rana Liaqat Ali played a key role in Pakistan movement. And after independence, Pakistani women contributed in all walk of life including economy, defence, democracy and healthcare. Women’s contributions are the real backbone of Pakistan and 14th August is the day to acknowledge their resilience and bravura. The Independence Day of Pakistan is being celebrated today with a renewed pledge to work with the spirit of Pakistan Movement to make the nation a true welfare state.
Fatima Jinnah
Fatima Jinnah was more than just a sister of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. She advocated for the demand of separate country for Muslims of sub-continent and strongly supported her brother in every step. Fatima Jinnah served as a bridge between women and Quaid-e-Azam to educate them regarding their individual power. She addressed the public meeting and endorsed the two-nation theory during the Independence Movement. Fatima Jinnah was called ‘Madar-e-Milat’ for her unparallel support and great services to Independence Movement.
Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan
Begum Rana Liaqat Ali Khan was the wife of Liaqat Ali Khan, first Prime Minister of Pakistan. Begum Rana Liaqat Ali Khan was a highly educated lady who was among the leading leaders in the Pakistan independence movement. She also accompanied Liaqat Ali Khan in London to meet with Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Muhammad Ali Jinnah. She also played a pivotal role in spreading awareness among women of sub-continent and persuaded them to actively take part in Independence Movement.
Shaukat Ara
She was born in 1926 in Lahore and was a very active contributor of the Independence Movement from1945 to 1947. Shaukat Ara also took part in numerous gatherings of women Muslim League members and also gathered a huge support for the party. Ara’s most permanent memories, however, are her traumatic experiences from the refugee camp at Walton, Lahore, where she volunteered determinedly.
Regarding her volunteer work, she gave the following words; “…And what I saw in it … severed limbs, dead people, injured people hidden beneath dead bodies…” and “…I just couldn’t control my tears…”
Amjadi Bano Begum:
Amjadi Bano Begum, the widow of great Muslim Leader Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, was the first Muslim woman to addressed the public gathering. She was the only working in the All-India Muslim League’s working committee. She was the only woman who inked the Lahore Resolution Document. Syed Hassan Rizvi, the editor of Delhi publication Mashoor, she was the one who called the Lahore Resolution as the ‘Pakistan Resolution.’