All Pakistan Women's Association


The All Pakistan Women's Association, or APWA, Urdu: آل پاکستان ویمنز ایسوسی ایشن‎ as it is commonly known, is a voluntary, non-profit and non-political Pakistani organisation whose fundamental aim is the promotion of moral, social and economic welfare of the women of Pakistan.[1]

It was founded in 1949 by Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan, a famous activist for women’s rights, who had said that the role of women is no less important than that of men. Initially APWA was formed to handle the refugee crisis in the newly independent Pakistan after the 1947 partition of British India.[2] Zubeida Habib Rahimtoola was also the dedicated member of this association.

APWA has been a very active organisation since its founding, with branches in 56 districts across Pakistan, and even in rural and urban areas.[1] It celebrates major events such as International Women's Day, UN Day and UNICEF Day annually, and is a charity organisation which relies on donations to fund its work.

APWA received the UNESCO Adult Literacy Prize in 1974 and later the Peace Messenger Certificate in 1987.

After Bangladesh independence in 1971, the organisation in that country was renamed Bangladesh Mahila Samiti.[3]

In 2016, at the 68th anniversary of APWA's founding, an annual dinner at the High Commission of Pakistan, London was held to pay tribute to the APWA founder, Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan. A speaker at the event said that Begum's vision motivated the Pakistani women to contribute positively to the Pakistani society.[2]

Affiliations

APWA enjoys consultative status with the Government of Pakistan, and is internationally affiliated with many organisations, such as: General Federation of Women's Clubs, International Alliance of Women, and PPSEAWA. On a national level, APWA is associated with:

Programs

APWA offers programs in:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Profile of All Pakistan Women Association (APWA) on charity-charities.org website, Retrieved 16 August 2017
  2. 1 2 All Pakistan Women's Association role lauded, Pakistan Observer (newspaper), Published 25 October 2016, Retrieved 16 August 2017
  3. ↑ Purkayastha, Nibedita Das (2012). "Bangladesh Mahila Samiti". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  4. ↑ Karachi: APWA Handicrafts Retail Shop to reopen shortly, Dawn (newspaper), Published 23 January 2004, Retrieved 16 August 2017
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