Govt initiative: IT lab set up at Sukkur’s women empowerment centre

Purpose is to impart computer training to under-privileged young women


Our Correspondent September 05, 2016
The lab seeks to provide computer training to young women belonging to underprivileged families. PHOTO: EXPRESS

SUKKUR: After the establishment of Sweet Home, Primary School and Vocational Dastakari School, the Pakistan Baitul Mal has now established a modern information technology (IT) laboratory at its women empowerment centre in Sukkur.

The purpose of the lab is to provide computer training to young women belonging to under-privileged families. The IT lab is aimed to secure the future of these women by providing them training of Microsoft Coding and Computing, so that they can get respectable jobs in the government and other departments.

Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Darshan Lal was invited to inaugurate the lab, which was established a week ago, but could not make it as his flight to Sukkur was cancelled. In his absence, PML-N, Sukkur, president Imam Din Khoso unveiled the plaque on Monday.

"No society can achieve the goal of development without the active participation of women," said Khoso in his brief speech on the occasion. "Therefore, the government must initiate such programmes for women so that they can play their due role in the economic uplift of the country."



One of the students, Shumaila, who joined the IT lab last week, told The Express Tribune that being a member of a poor family, it was a distant dream for her to join a private computer centre for a diploma thanks to Baitul Mal, which 'came to the rescue of the poor and needy and started this modern facility, which is 100% free'.

"After completing the six-month-long short diploma, I am planning to go for one-year diploma here to get a job in [the] government or private [sector]," she added.

Similarly, Sadaf Odho joined the IT lab three days ago and was going through the basics of the computer and looked very excited while operating the machine. According to her, she has completed her intermediate and was looking for an opportunity to get a diploma in IT. "When I learnt about the IT lab of Baitul Mal, I immediately registered myself and today I am sitting here," she said. "I am happy that our trainer is female otherwise my family wouldn't have allowed me to join. After completing my training, I will get a good job hopefully and, in this way, will be able to support my family."

Another student, Noor Fatima, told The Express Tribune that it might take two or three more days for her to believe that she is getting computer training for free and in such a good environment. As she was going through the basics, she was unable to distinguish between ROM and RAM. "The only thing I know is that this is the mouse," she smiled while holding the mouse in her hand. "I tell you, sir, one day I will operate this machine without any difficulty and will earn livelihood for my family."

Tanveer Mughal, in-charge of the IT lab, said that they have 20 computers while the number of students in the first batch is 40. "Therefore, we are training 20 students each in two shifts," she said. "The lab was started last week and, therefore, all the students are going through the basics at the moment." Sharing the future plan, she said that after two diplomas of six months each, they will offer a one-year diploma.

Sharing his views, Baitul Mal, Sukkur, assistant director Shabbir Memon said that the establishment of the women empowerment centre was the first and a solid step towards the development of women. He added that the managing director of Baitul Mal, Barrister Abid Waheed, with the support of Prime Minister Sharif, has established 12 women empowerment centres across Sindh: in Sukkur, Khairpur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Sanghar, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Kamber-Shahdadkot, Jamshoro, Umerkot and Dadu.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2016.

 

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