An All-Men Panel Will Discuss ‘Women Empowerment’ At KLF
Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) is being criticised for arranging a session on women empowerment without including any women speaker in the discussion. Titled ‘Financial Inclusion And Women Empowerment’, the panel is sponsored by Habib Bank Limited (HBL), and has no representation of women.
It includes Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Reza Baqir, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, Advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan for Institutional Reforms & Austerity Ishrat Hussain, and President Habib Bank Muhammad Aurangzeb.
People on Twitter have criticised the organisers, terming the panel as ‘manel’ and said it was ironic that men would discuss women empowerment. Meanwhile, another session of KLF on student activism has generated outrage as no student activist or leader is included in that panel. Karachi Literature Festival will be held from February 28 to March 1.
Here’s what a panel on financial inclusion for women looks like – a home-based entrepreneur, a female bank president, a ministry of human rights representative, a leader in the fashion industry and a communications head of a ride-sharing app – all women pic.twitter.com/RpDEP2EvkR
— Amber Rahim Shamsi (@AmberRShamsi) February 21, 2020
KLF is doing a panel on student politics and none of the speakers are invited from those 14 student bodies who worked hard to organise students solidarity march in Karachi and pushed Sindh government for legislation on student unions bill. It is shameful @KarachiLitFest
— Hamza Baloch (@laalbaji) February 20, 2020
Panel on Student Activism Today at Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) WITHOUT the active organizers from the city itself? Sirjee, kamal kartay ho? Yes, the irrelevance of these festivals have been established long time ago, but funny the critique and feedback, they don't even try
— tarbooza kharbooz (@nakaamrade) February 20, 2020
Literary Fests are turning into cringefest. Seems they belong to a certain class/circle of friends who won't criticize the stupidity. LLF is blocking sane voices and lack integrity. KLF following the footsteps, excluding the real fighters of student activism from the same panel.
— Bano (@BanoBee) February 20, 2020
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