Justice (Retd.) Majida Rizvi

Writing on the Role of Aurat Foundation and its impact on the development, advancement and progress of women in the country takes me back to the 90s when as a Retired Judge I first attended, a meeting of Aurat Foundation at Islamabad. This was around the time when National Commission on the Status of Women about to be formed.

Since then I have seen it developing into a major Institution working for the welfare of women from all aspects. I can say without any hesitation that the Aurat Foundation has been working for the advancement of women from social, economic, legal and all other aspects, and has greatly impacted the progress of women in the country.

From 2013 to 2023, as Chairperson of the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), we have implemented various projects for capacity building of women. This includes legislating various laws and implementing the same particularly on the subject of violence against women, Counter violence against extremism, coordinating and producing several reports and publications triggering the discourse on violence against women with respect to human rights.

I have been involved with the Aurat Foundation in one way or the other; as a lawyer, as a feminist, as an activist, as a coordinator and various other aspects. Every time I worked I admired more and more about their understanding, patience, and handing the issues and how they disseminate the information.

I congratulate them for completing forty years of their existence and compiling the “History of Aurat Foundation”. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.