Sewing centres' closure hits women hard

HARIPUR:

Several sewing and embroidery centres run by the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) in Haripur and other areas have been closed, dealing a severe blow to the aspirations of young women seeking economic independence.

It has emerged that female workers previously employed at these veil-compliant sewing centres have been removed from their posts and compelled to perform duties in male-dominated TMA offices. This development has reportedly caused significant hardship for the affected women.

Sources said that hundreds of men visit these offices daily, and the repeated reassignment of women from one office to another has created intense mental stress for them. The situation, they added, has made it increasingly difficult for women to work with dignity and peace of mind.

Affected women and their families have demanded the immediate restoration of the centres, calling on the Secretary for Local Government to ensure the protection of women's dignity and to fulfil the state's responsibility of providing a respectful and safe working environment.

They pointed out that despite the government's claims of promoting women's development, the handicraft centres established under the TMA for women have remained closed for the past six months.