Gender equality: Educating women a must for enlightened society: Shehbaz

Says office of woman ombudsperson has also been set up in province

LAHORE: The provision of resources for women empowerment is a beneficial investment as it is a must for establishing an enlightened society, said Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He was presiding over a meeting on Saturday to review the progress, made in different sectors to empower women.

The chief minister said that Pakistani women have fully exhibited their talents in different walks of life. He added that they have brought laurels home with their hard work and dedication. Women living in villages are very hard working and their role in the village economy is pivotal, he said, reiterating that socio-economic empowerment of women is priority of the government.

The Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps to empower women and they have been given their rights by taking exemplary steps in the province.

Shehbaz said that a major part of the population in Pakistan consists of women, and the country  cannot move forward without providing them with equal opportunities of education. Keeping this in view, the Punjab government has taken historic steps for women development and their empowerment under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

He said that Islam has given due respect to the women and also stresses their empowerment and provision of equal rights. The office of woman ombudsperson has been established in the Punjab. The hereditary rights of the women in properties have been safeguarded through legislation, as well as land record management information system. Similarly, women commission has been constituted for providing solution to the issues pertaining to women.

Furthermore, a 15% job quota has been reserved for women in the public sector departments, and they have also been given a 3-year age relaxation for government employment. He added that provision of technical training to the women would give them socio-economic empowerment.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2017.