Gender Roles: ‘Women empowerment necessary for development’

Development of the country is impossible without the active role of women, who form more than half of the population

PESHAWAR:

“The development of the country is impossible without the active role of women, who constitute more than half of the population.” This was stated by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Minister for Population Welfare Salim Khan at a certificate distribution ceremony in Chitral on Friday. The ceremony was held under the aegis of Small Industries Development Board (SIDB).

Khan said there were several cases of women bringing change in the world, adding that the female population should come forward in all fields of life.

The minister said that the increase in female enrolment in Chitral was a positive indicator of development. He appreciated the role of private schools in this effort.

SIDP Managing Director Syed Akhtar Hussain also lauded the role of women in Chitral, saying that their skills in making traditional handicrafts were highly valued in the local market.

He also said he was making efforts to further improve women’s skills and improving the quality of Chitrali handicrafts, adding that several training centres would be set up at Garam Chashma, Wadi-e-Kailash and Darosh.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2011.