Women’s role in economy ‘still limited’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is currently passing through difficult times because employment generation has been unable to absorb the growth in the country’s labour force. This was said by Tariq Iqbal, secretary Ministry of Labour and Manpower, while addressing the concluding session of a three-day workshop on ‘gender sensitisation’ here on Wednesday.

Iqbal said that the increasing trend in both unemployment and under employment was a huge threat to the country’s economy and society.

He termed these issues as formidable challenges threatening national development.

While appreciating the efforts of women in the development of the country, he expressed concern over their minimal participation in productivity.

During an interaction session, the participants urged the government to organise a series of seminars and workshops in educational institutes across the country where women could highlight their problems.

They were of the view that the majority of women in Pakistan knew that President Asif Ali Zardari had signed the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill, but did not know much else about it.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2010.