Gender balance: ‘Empower women as per local environment’

Three studies on women-related issues conducted by varsity

ISLAMABAD: The concept of women’s empowerment must be determined in accordance with the indigenous environment instead of blindly following the west.

This was stated by Professor Dr Syed Abdul Siraj, chairman of the Mass Communication department at the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Tuesday.

He was speaking at an event to launch three special studies conducted by the varsity on women-related issues under a USAID-funded, and Aurat Foundation backed, project.

The studies focused on the plight of female inmates in local prisons and the role of female-related NGOs. The studies also dealt with the prevailing perception of male and female for social transformation of the society and women empowerment.

The project was aimed at strengthening the Gender and Women Studies Department of AIOIU and to highlight the plight of females while suggesting ways and means for their empowerment.

AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shahid Siddiqui said on the occasion that the university has been giving importance to women and that currently of the total students enrolled in the varsity, around 57 per cent were women.

“Conducting applied research that is relevant to the society, must be made a regular feature,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2017.