Alvi calls for gender-responsive policies

Urges equal opportunities for women in education, jobs and politics

ISLAMABAD:

President Dr Arif Alvi emphasised the importance of gender-responsive policies to empower women and stressed the integration of women into entrepreneurship for a sustainable economy. Speaking at the 'Rising Women 2023' event organised by the Women’s Business Network (WBN) on Wednesday, Alvi called for equal opportunities for women in education, employment, and politics to enable their participation in mainstream entrepreneurship.

He urged the development of demand-driven policies, a supportive institutional environment, and workplaces free from harassment to encourage women to pursue their businesses. The president also highlighted the need to make information about entrepreneurship more accessible to women, as only 5% of women utilised the reserved quota of business loans from the State Bank due to a lack of guidance.

Furthermore, he emphasised the implementation of family-friendly policies, such as opportunities for home-based businesses and creating a welcoming environment for women when they return to work after maternity leave. President Alvi also stressed the importance of equipping women with contemporary skills, including internet usage, to align with global trends.

“We need to train these women to adopt innovative entrepreneurial methods through information technology, enabling them to earn from their homes,” he stated, highlighting the potential of women as a productive workforce when provided with equal opportunities.

While acknowledging that Islam and the country’s constitution guarantee equal rights for women and support their progress, the president expressed concern about cultural norms in the country that deny women the right to inheritance.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2023.

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