Balochistan govt to facilitate, empower women

Plans to set up first-ever women bazaar in Quetta

ISLAMABAD:

The Balochistan government has initiated a comprehensive programme for women empowerment besides protecting their rights and social security in the province.

The provincial government has planned setting up a first-ever women bazaar in Quetta to generate business opportunities for women and give them a platform to sell their handmade products, said an official while sharing the two-year performance of the incumbent government.

The official said the Balochistan government has allocated Rs1.872 billion in last year's budget for the establishment of various projects to empower and facilitate women, enabling them to play a role for the development of the province. Under the programme, Rs600 million has been earmarked to build hostels at each divisional headquarter of the province to provide a safe residence for working women, he added.

The official said that the government will also initiate the construction of Women Business Incubation Centre in Quetta with the aim to support women to set up their businesses, enhance their entrepreneurship skills and overcome the challenges being faced by them in market.

The government has also initiated a training programme to encourage more women entrepreneurs to participate in business activities. The training sessions, he said, will help youth in creating space in the current cut-throat business environment.

He said the government was introducing women endowment funds in Balochistan to empower them financially and make them self sufficient.The government has expedited the development work of women directorate in Quetta, he said, and added that as a nation we cannot succeed unless we empower women.

“Effective legislation was being enacted to empower women and the inheritance bill has already been passed for giving share to women in inheritance,” he added.

According to the official, the government has also established baby care centres in the province.

“It is quite evident that economic and social initiatives have helped reduce gender disparity. No country can be developed without empowering its women,” the official added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2020.