The Pro Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences, Professor Shah has said that an active lifestyle is very important in reducing the risk of breast cancer. Stress has to come out, time has come for girls to acquire the skills and abilities to protect themselves so that they can do it on their own and not depend on anyone. No research or data collection is required to understand this because data or research can never identify the risk of when girls should develop these skills.
She expressed these views while speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion of the first Women’s Self-Defense Workshop and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement, held at the Sports Complex and Gymnasium of Dow University’s Ojha Campus. On this occasion, Director of Higher Education Commission Sindh Dr. Javed Memon, Principal of Dow International Medical College Dr. Zeba Haq, Principal of Dow College of Pharmacy Dr. Sumbal Shammim, Director of IBHM Dr. Izhar Hussain, Director of Sports Dr. Mehnaz Nurruddin Geetay and others were also present.
Prof. Nusrat Shah said during the address that self-defense is a framework for women empowerment. We are grateful to everyone for the overwhelming response and being a part of the workshop. Special thanks to PMAA for organizing such a training session. In line with Pinktober 2022, this self-defense workshop also symbolizes the mental fight that every female patient goes through. Prof. Sumbal Shammim in his welcome address highlighted that the workshop was an initiative towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals including SDG 03 “Good Health and Well-Being”, SDG 05 “Gender Equality”, SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, and SDG 17 “Partnerships to achieve the Goals”. She said that there is no power equal to a determined woman and there is nothing we cannot achieve if we set our minds to it. Dr. Javed Memon said in his speech that in the current situation, increasing the capacity of women to defend themselves is inevitable. As martial arts trainers, we couldn’t have had a better choice than PMAA. Dow University of Health Sciences’ Gymnasium is also focused on meeting the important needs of the community, such as health and well-being and skill development in our youth. Sports Directorate, Dow Institute of Business and Health Management and Green Youth Movement also participated in organizing the said workshop. Dow University, maintaining its tradition of spreading awareness about deadly diseases and fulfilling its social responsibility of empowering women, organized the aforementioned defense workshop. The session also highlighted the awareness campaign Pinktober 2022 for which Pakistan is playing a leading role in the topic of breast cancer, which includes a public service message through dial tunes to make phone calls. The workshop was organized in the presence of HEC Regional Director and Director of Sports Javed Memon and Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Nusrat Shah. Prof.Dr. Nusrat Shah emphasized on the significance of the psychological empowerment of women followed by physical,financial and mental empowerment. Javed Memon encouraged the participants to participate in the physical activities as well as be confident in their inner strength. He further shared the details of sports. He appreciated the motivation of the DUHS sportsmen and sportswomen for assuming the responsibility to host the HEC- All Pakistan inter varsity chess championship for males and Archery championship for females.The workshop commenced with an ice breaking disarmament act by Prof. Dr. Nusrat Shah and Director Sports.The presence of Prof.Dr. Nusrat has been a moral booster for the participants as she passed on her positive energy by her active participation. She insisted the participants and audience to stay active and resilient. She acknowledged and appreciated the organizing team on arranging this workshop.
