Women, minorities and environment get less attention
Women are especially vulnerable to rising temperatures in poor countries on the frontlines of climate change. REUTERS
The Sindh government has not given full importance to some of the already neglected sectors, including women empowerment, minorities and environment. The budget documents of the next financial year revealed that a small chunk of the budget has been allocated for these areas.
Women empowerment and development
To support women in the province, 15 women complaint cells will be established in district headquarters, including Sanghar, Kamber, Kashmore, Jamshoro, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Badin, Ghotki, Naushero Feroze, Thatta, Tando Allah yar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Dadu and Matiari.
The government has also planned to establish Women Development Complex at three locations of Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad and Karachi.
To facilitate needy women, the budget targets making Darul Aman in Mirpurkhas and Jacobabad functional. The provincial government also plans to establish safe houses in all districts of Sindh starting with the next financial year.
According to the budget documents, the women development department has made 18 safe houses functional in the current financial year.
It said that the legislation was in process for the Sindh Dowry Bill 2017, Sindh Acid Control Bill and for protection against harassment of women at the workplace act.
Minorities
The annual budget for minorities has been enhanced by 65 per cent from Rs. 888.191 million to Rs. 1.468 billion for the next financial year. Funds of Rs250 million have been kept for renovation of worship places of minority communities. Meanwhile, Rs. 50 million has been allocated for the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC).
Environment
Despite the effects of climate change on Sindh over the last decade, no major project had been initiated for 2022-23.
The environment department aimed to complete the on-going schemes and for next year it merely focues on renovation, rehabilitation and constriction of new blocks in Environment Complex.
The budget document said that the department also plans to establish 'information systems' in Sindh', but without mentioning where and for what purpose.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2022.