Lahore: March 13, 2014. (By Pervez Yousaf and A. Peter) 9th March 2014: Council for Interfaith Dialogue (CFID) Pakistan organized a one day conference for women in connection with the International Women’s Day 2014 in the “Peace Auditorium’ Lahore Cantt. Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap (coordinator of CFID) was the chief organizer while Ms. Shabnam Nagi (advocate high court & chairperson of the women wing of CFID) was the presiding person and Aneeqa Maria (advocate high court and coordinator of The Voice) was the chief guest of this conference. About four hundred women from different walks of life and belonging to different religions were present on this occasion. Senior film star Nisho Begum, TV & stage artist Razia Malik and Farida Khanum were among the other prominent guests of the conference. The subject of the conference was “Importance of Women in our Society”. Expressing their views the guests and speakers appreciated the role of women and their efforts for the development of their families, welfare of the society and progress of the country. They also explained the struggle of women for the achievement of their rights Addressing the participants the chief guest Aneeqa Maria said, “In Pakistan women have to face discriminative attitude. There are many examples like karo kari, wani and watta satta. In our society girls are married in their early age and in judicial matters also they have to face discrimination. There is a need to end all these things because a woman is a gift from God; daughters are blessing of God. Women are always good companions of men. All the religions teach us to pay honour to women. If, today, we empower the women tomorrow we will have a better nation. Parents have to focus on the education of their daughters.” The presiding person of the seminar Shabnam Nagi said, “To celebrate this day is meant to convey the message to the world that we, all the women are one to strive for our rights. CFID is doing a lot for the betterment of the women in our society. A woman deserves an important status in the society. Women are working equally for the progress of the country so they also deserve equal rights and respect.” She appreciated the efforts of Fr. Francis Nadeem for the promotion of peace and interfaith dialogue. At the end thanking all the participants, speakers and distinguished guests of the conference Fr. Francis Nadeem said, “CFID will establish an interfaith forum of Muslim and Christian lawyers which will tackle the judicial matters and provide free legal services to all the deserving women of the society.”