He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony of Women Economic Empowerment Council at a local hotel.
The occasion was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Development Women and Law Mahjabeen Sheeran, Development and Women Department Secretary Sahira Attah, Livestock Secretary Dostain Jamaldini and women representatives of United Nation, Civil Society and Women Chamber of Commerce.
The minister said that efforts are in progress to set up endowment funds for women.
“Development and Women Department have been ignored in past causing problems for women in the way of progress,” he said.
Buledi added that incumbent government intends to empower women for which efforts are afoot to issue funds to Development and Women Sector to bring it par with other departments. The role of women is significant for the progress of the province, the minister said.
Briefing about the initiatives of the provincial government, he said, “Three Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed which marks history for the women of Balochistan.”
Sheeran said that the priority of Balochistan Awami Party is to ensure the empowerment of women as it has allocated funds under the provincial Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).
Talking about development in the sector, she said, “Development and Women Department is working on establishing women’s hostels, setting up markets for women and providing separate transport for women aiming to promote women in each sector for the progress of the province.”
She hailed the directions of Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan of taking measures to ensure development and empowerment of women.
Stressing the role of women, Jamaldeni also addressed the ceremony. “The role of women is vital for the development of the province,” he said.
The secretary added that the Livestock department has decided to provide chickens to women specially the widows so that they would be able to initiate small businesses for their livelihood.
Women endowment fund
The provincial government has allocated Rs1.87 billion to initiate various projects to empower and facilitate women enabling them to play their role for the development of Balochistan.
According to a government official, the provincial government is taking steps to introduce women endowment fund in Balochistan to empower women financially and make them self-sufficient.
“The government will set up a woman market to create business opportunities for them so that they could sell their handmade products,” he said.
The official added that the market would also provide opportunities to unemployed women.
Emphasising role of women for the development of society, he said, “The government will establish hostels for working women in every divisional headquarters.”
He added that the government has already earmarked Rs600 million in the current Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the purpose.
The official said that the government has expedited the development work of women directorate in Quetta added that the progress is possible through empowering women.
“Effective legislation is underway to empower women along with the initiative of inheritance bill already been passed to provide share to women in inheritance,” he said.
Besides, the women harassment bill has been passed to create a safe environment for them at workplaces. The government has taken strict action against domestic violence.
The government would also build Baby Care centres to facilitate women, he added.
WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2019.
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