Female education institutions: Mirpur hands canteen reins to women

MIRPUR: In a boost for women entrepreneurs in Mirpur, the local administration has ruled that contracts to run canteens at girl’s educational institutions in the area will only be provided to women.

Mirpur division Commissioner Chaudhry Muhammad Tayyab has said that only women will be granted contracts for operating canteens at government girl’s schools and colleges in all three districts of Mirpur division.

Talking to APP here on Sunday, he said that the step had been taken under a plan to empower local women by ensuring their participation in self-employment opportunities apart from ending the direct access of men to canteens in such educational institutions.

“It would be, indeed, the first pilot project in Azad Jammu and Kashmir which aims to encourage and boost the confidence of women who aspire to work independently and provide for their families,” said Tayyab.

The Divisional Commissioner said that new contracts would be granted through an open auction and due advertisements will be issued to invite interest from women.                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2018.