Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is committed to empowering women
LAHORE: The esteemed position accorded to women in our society and religion is one of the greatest hallmarks of Pakistani culture. Unfortunately, due to a lack of safe and decent living facilities in big cities, women have been barred from getting higher education or pursuing the career of their choice. There is no denying the fact that access to secure, affordable and reliable accommodation is necessary for women’s economic empowerment. Keeping this in mind, the Punjab government is working to make that happen.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is committed to empowering women, which is evident from the fact that the government has established the Women Hostel Authority (WHA). The establishment of Women Hostel Authority is a ground-breaking initiative that will enhance women’s access to public services and help them foster their potential in an enabling and safe environment. With the establishment of the WHA, no woman who has a potential and desire to work, stops working because of lack of accommodation facilities.
Likewise, despite a steady rise in the share of women, especially mothers, in the workforce, these working women have to face many difficulties for the upbringing of their children. To address this issue, the government has decided to establish daycare centres in 28 private institutions at a cost of Rs250 million for babies of working women. The establishment of WHA and Daycare Centres is certainly a meaningful effort towards enhancing women’s participation and access to economic opportunities but the need of the hour is to plan more and more such projects for the facilitation and welfare of the working women in the province. Mere words will not do anything until they are followed by actions because by standing shoulder to shoulder with men, women are playing a vital role in Pakistan’s national reconstruction and uplift. They have shown their worth as leaders and administrators.
Syed Ali Qasim
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2019.
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