‘Equal rights for women ensure faster national uplift’

First Lady Samina Alvi has called for meaningful engagement of women to boost national development in the country.

Addressing a seminar 'Status of Gender Equality in Pakistan' on Saturday on International Day of Women organised by All Pakistan Women's

Association (APWA), she said prosperity is best achieved by ensuring equal rights to women and addressing their issues related to social status and financial security.

"To help materialise the dream of a model Islamic welfare state and Pakistan's uplift , it is vital to guarantee equal rights to women", she said adding that development goals could not be achieved when more than 100 million women in the country were kept out of economic activity and lacked basic facilities.

No state can develop without contribution from their women, she said, adding, it was imperative that all segments of society work harmoniously.

She urged on creating opportunities for inclusion of women and differently-abled persons in education, health and various sectors of the economy and said joint and coordinated efforts would help establish an inclusive society.

The first lady appreciated State Bank's measures aimed at women empowerment and suggested that such policies be widely publicised to ensure women are facilitated at the grassroot level.

She urged media and opinion makers to impart awareness about women's rights. "Any form of violence against women should be discouraged and all women be provided a safe and protective environment," she said while stressing upon men to support their women.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2021.