PPP organises first-ever women convention in Fata

Participants vow to improve women’s lot in tribal areas

SHABQADAR: The first-ever women workers convention in Fata has vowed to improve women’s lot in the tribal areas, ensure women suffrage in the next elections, spread education and bring awareness about their rights.

Organised by the PPP Mohmand women wing at Mohmand Agency’s lower subdivision of Ekka Ghund on Wednesday, the convention was well attended by women from a cross-section of society.

It was addressed among others by PPP Fata women wing president Dr Saima, general secretary Chand Bibi, PPP Mohmand Agency women wing president Mussarat Bibi, PPP minority women wing president Saira William and PPP Mohmand Agency president Dr Farooq Afzal.

Dr Saima during her address recalled the struggle the PPP had waged for women’s emancipation.

“It is an honour that the PPP has a women wing in Fata and today’s successful convention has proved this beyond doubt.”

“The PPP believes in gender equality and wants to bring awareness among women in Fata about their rights,” Saima said, adding, “Education is the basic right of every woman, but unfortunately women in Fata have been deprived of this basic right.”

She deplored low literacy rate in Fata women and added “only through education can we bring change in our conservative society”.

Dr Farooq Afzal said: “The PPP government has introduced the BISP and the Waseela-e-Haq programmes in the country to empower women in Pakistan and will launch women skills development centres in the future to empower women economically.”

He said today’s convention has given a clear message to those who think that women in Fata are backward.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2016.