Alvi urges implementation of pro-women laws in letter and spirit

President hosts brainstorming session on social empowerment of women at Aiwan-e-Sadr

Calling for women empowerment through inclusive social and economic policies, President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday emphasised the need for implementation of pro-women laws in letter and spirit and doing away with cultural taboos.

Addressing a brainstorming session on Gender-Based Discrepancies and Promotion of Legal, Economic and Social Empowerment of Women hosted at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said that his office had been actively engaged in efforts to address issues like rights of women and disabled people.

The event was attended by federal ministers Farogh Nasim, Dr Shireen Mazari, Shafqat Mahmood, Shibli Faraz, Minister of State Zartaj Gul, special assistants Dr Sania Nishtar and Dr Faisal Sultan, Parliamentary Secretary on Law Malika Bukhari, prominent artists and media representatives.

The State Bank Governor Reza Baqir and various social activists also joined the event through a video link. The event featured a working session on issues confronting women, including property rights, legal, and media. The session also presented its recommendations for the consideration of the government.

The president viewed that the session would provide a road-map to the government for devising strategies on women empowerment. He said that the Constitution guaranteed women rights and even provided special provisions; however, the implementation of the relevant laws was far more important.

“Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had also stated that no nation could reach the height of glory without protecting women’s rights,” he said. He believed that almost 98% of society was unanimous on women rights; yet they were the victims of some cultural taboos.

Highlighting the issues confronting women like insecurity at police stations, delayed disposal of divorce cases, hesitance in registering harassment or rape cases, and domestic violence, the president said such sittings would provide a timeline for relief to the women.

“Owing to a lack of awareness, the women are not properly benefiting from the loans scheme exclusively announced for them to run small and medium enterprises, the president pointed out.

He said that almost 40% pregnancies took place owing to non-availability of contraceptives which must also be thought of while devising the policies. He also informed the gathering that First Lady Samina Alvi had also been actively running an awareness campaign on breast cancer.

He said the Presidency had also written to the Council of Islamic Ideology to promote breastfeeding through the pulpit, which would ultimately address the issues of malnutrition and overgrowing population.

Later, the representatives of respective working groups presented their recommendations on rights of women in media, their access to education, health, legal rights and economic empowerment. The president said that the proposals would be forwarded to the ministries concerned.

He called for a wider discussion in media on women rights and awareness among them about the measures being taken for their facilitation. The president also called for skills-based education of women to enhance their employability.

Endorsing the predominant campaign about harassment of women on social media, the president said though the men were also the victim of the tendency the bigger damage was to the women. He urged the political parties for their non-partisan reaction in such case.

Alvi agreed to the demand for women-specific facilities like daycare centers, washrooms at workplaces and called for a survey of offices in this regard. Calling women the lowest risk in debt market, the president called for safe transport, workplace, women courts and their security at police station. APP