The Baloch Students Action Committee held the Baloch Women’s Conference in the University of Balochistan on Tuesday to mark International Women’s Day. The Quetta police, dressed in riot gear, surrounded the women participating in the conference and restricted their movement in the university. The forces also blocked the gates of the university and prevented hundreds of other participants who had come from other universities of Quetta to join the conference.
According to the details, the women were not allowed to carry out the conference inside the university building. They had to set up the conference on the varsity campus, surrounded by the members of Quetta police who were dressed in riot gear. The police contingent kept trailing the women as they were moving throughout the university.
The BSAC spokesperson said that the security forces created hurdles and prevented us from conducting the women’s conference according to the plan. But nevertheless, we conducted the conference on the university campus. Women from all walks of life were invited to participate in the march.
The BSAC spokesperson said that the organization announced three weeks ago that it would carry out the conference to mark International Women’s Day and invited people to join. Considering that the University of Balochistan is the biggest and the leading university in Balochistan, BSAC decided to arrange the conference there. The spokesperson said that the organization contacted the university administration and booked the auditorium for the Baloch Women’s Conference. But one day before the conference, the university administration called us and cancelled our booking. When we insisted, they threatened us, the spokesperson said.
The BSAC spokesperson said despite the threats, the organization carried out the Baloch Women’s Conference in front of the admin block in the university campus. The security forces stationed at the gates did not allow most of our guests to enter the university and attend the conference.
The spokesperson said that a panel discussion was organized in the women’s conference to discuss the basic issues facing Baloch women today. Furthermore, the participants also spoke on the role of Baloch women in the creation and the upbringing of a prosperous society and in spreading awareness among the masses. The participants also organized a mini dance show and a tableau.
The BSAC spokesperson said that the behaviour of the university administration was inappropriate and condemnable. The universities are made and equipped with facilities so that the students can benefit from them. He said that we appeal to all the other Baloch student organizations to raise their voice against this prejudiced university administration so that students can live freely on the university campus.
In Lasbela University (LUAWMS) a peace walk was organized to commemorate International Women’s Day. Participants carrying placards and banners walked inside the university campus to express solidarity with their female counterparts and raise slogans demanding equal rights for them.
Separate programs were also conducted by the Balochistan National Party and the Women’s Development Department of Balochistan to celebrate women’s day.