ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Czech Republic in collaboration with National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore has launched a web page titled “Heroines of Pakistan.”
The web page features Pakistani and Czech (50+50) women who impacted and inspired public and private life in their respective countries in diverse fields such as politics, economy, education, medicine, health showbiz, science, human rights, literature and art and culture.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Czechia Jiří Kozák who was on a daylong visit to the country, formally launched the web page.
Among the renowned Pakistani women who are featured in the list and whose portraits were also put on display at the venue of the launch ceremony included former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007), an icon of human rights Asma Jahangir (1952-2018), German-Pakistani Catholic nun a dedicated health worker who established 157 leprosy clinics across Pakistan Dr Ruth Pfau (1929-2017) and many other distinguished names in literature, music such as Noor Jahan, Bano Qudsia, Anna Molka Ahmed, Arfa Kareem, Marium Mukhtar. Sister of the Founder of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah (1893-1967 and wife of the first Prime Minister of Pakistan Rana Liaquat Ali Khan have been the first two in the list of the acclaimed Pakistani women featured on the web page.
Senior official (Spokesperson) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Chairperson of the National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) Nilofar Bakhtiar, former Member of Punjab Assembly (MPA) Uzma Kardar, diplomats and civil society representatives attended the event.
Czech women’s contributions highly appreciated
On the occasion, portraits of Baroness Sidonie Nadherna (1885-1950) who helped develop cultural life in Bohemia, drove car, travelled all Europe and Anny Ondra (1902-1987) were also put on display. Anny Ondra was one of the great Czech film stars between the two world wars and had a great following.
According to Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Jiří Kozák, hardly there is a field/profession in the Czech Republic that is not enriched by women.
“It gives me immense pleasure to announce that with the launch of the web page, around hundred artistic portraits of women who shaped the past and present of Pakistan and Czechia, together with their short biographies are now accessible at the domain ‘heroines.pk’ said Jiří Kozák.
Result of teamwork
Ambassador Tomáš Smetánka while speaking on the occasion hoped the portraits of personalities like Samina Baig, Asma Jahangir, Perween Rahman or Arfa Kareem would inspire young ladies to the best use of their talents and abilities. To a question, he said it was a gradual process and a result of team effort. He lauded the cooperation of the National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore and support by Bata Group which is in fact of Czech origin to make both the publication of the book and the launching of a web page with the same title possible.
Bata’s representative Muhammad Mudassar on the occasion expressed his delight and assured the group’s support to any such initiative that acknowledges women’s achievements.
Resilient & fearless
Chairperson of the National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) Nilofar Bakhtiar said the women of Czech Republic & Pakistan are resilient and fearless. Their stories have a special place in our hearts and now they’ll live forever through this very special initiative.
The Czech Embassy, NCA, and Bata Pakistan Ltd. as sponsor of the project have also decided to establish The Heroine Award to be conferred every year to a woman that distinguishes herself in her profession or area of activity. The laureate’s portrait will then be added to the collection.
A brief history
In 2020, students of Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art in the Czech city of Plzeň which incidentally happens to be the birthplace of the Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Jiří Kozák, created a set of 50 posters of outstanding women of all times.
The collection inspired National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore to produce a similar series, celebrating prominent Pakistani women. The Czech and Pakistani Heroines posters exhibition was then held in Lahore on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Pakistan last August. Afterwards, pictures of 50 + 50 great women from both countries have been edited into a book, published in December 2022.
