‘Political parties should give 50% party tickets to women’

Women empowerment is prerequisite to compete with rest of world: speakers

FAISALABAD: All political parties should give 50% party tickets to women activists and take measures to ensure women participation in all fields of life.

This was said by UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar A Khan while addressing a seminar on women empowerment. The event was organised by the district administration and Institute of Home Sciences at New Senate Hall, University of Agriculture Faisalabad on Friday.

He said, “Women are proving their mettle in education and social economic activities in the world.” He urged political parties to give 50% party tickets to women activists.

He added women had been given one-third share in all the authorities of the university and this year, a female lecturer would contest for syndicate member.

Besides, he maintained 150 female teachers and 500 women were working on administrative and supporting positions in the UAF.

Talking about UAF initiatives, he said the UAF had set up a hostel for 1,000 girls with the funding of the Punjab government. “It is the largest hostel in the country.” He said the University was making all-out efforts to provide modern facilities to women.

Meanwhile, Faisalabad Deputy Commissioner Salman Ghani said women empowerment was prerequisite to compete with the rest of world for which Punjab government was making all-out efforts for gender mainstreaming and to ensure the women participation in all fields of life. He said, “At least 33% employment quota in the public sector has been earmarked for women while they can also get their due share in the open quota.”



He said Punjab government was taking revolutionary steps to empower women with equal rights in all spheres of life.

The deputy commissioner said, “Our religion has given rights and honour to women and the present government made legislation for the protection of women rights.”  He added, “Women are an important segment of the society and they could not be ignored.”

Salman pointed out the objective of holding the seminar was to sensitise the society about their rights.

He said efforts should continue to ensure gender equality.

MNA Khalida Mansoor said, “Islam is a complete way of life and provide excellent rights and respect to the women.” She said there was a need to change the mindset of the people in the male dominated society. She said Punjab government had given the Women Package 2012 that helped change lives of women, especially those living in rural areas.

“Now they are enjoying excellent status socially and at their workplaces.”

Institute of Home Sciences Chairperson Dr Farah Riaz, MPAs Madiha Rana and Fatima Fareeha also spoke on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2017.