On the occasion of International Women's Day, which was celebrated across the world on March 8, vice-president of Minhaj-ul-Quran Women League, Sidra Karamat, stated in her address that Islam has ensured the protection of women by assigning them a share in inheritance.

Sidra Karamat said that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Women should seek knowledge like men, as there is no gender discrimination in the pursuit of knowledge." She said that patriarchal attitudes are major obstacles to women empowerment.

The MWL leader said that while necessary directives and articles for women empowerment are present in Islam and the Constitution of Pakistan, the lack of implementation deprives women of their rights. She stated that the founding-leader of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, has provided ample opportunity to women to play a role as preachers like men, thus fulfilling the Islamic obligation.

She said that Minhaj-ul-Quran International has established state-of-the-art centers for women's education and training. Minhaj College for Women, she stated, is a proud example of its ongoing efforts. She emphasized that the government should play its role at the legal level to ensure the provision of recognized constitutional rights for women.