International Working Women’s Day: ‘Women should participate in national development’

DCO Amin says there will be special counter for women at his office.

FAISALABAD:

The city district government and the District Women Development Department organised a seminar on the International Working Women’s Day at the Faisalabad Arts Council on Friday.

MNA Khalida Mansoor was the chief guest while DCO Mohammad Amin Chaudhry attended as guest of honour.

MPAs Anjum Safdar, Dr Gazala Rana, Razia Joseph, Afshan Farooq, Additional District Collector Syed Bilal Haidar, ACs Zaheer Anwar, Shafiullah Khan, Gender Specialist Sheikh Mohammad Ehsan and women working in education, health, police and Social Welfare Departments participated in the seminar.

Addressing the function, Mansoor said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had taken practical steps to end the deprivations of the working women. She said the job quota for women in the Punjab had been increased from five to 15 per cent besides giving them a 3-year age relaxation in acquisition of jobs. She said the CM had announced a women economic empowerment package under which loans were being issued to women on soft terms for starting small businesses. She said stamp duty for the transfer of inheritance property to women had been abolished.



She said Pakistani women, who possessed multiple qualities, should be given ample opportunities to participate in national development.

Chaudhry highlighted the status of women in Islam and announced that a special counter would be established at the DCO office to facilitate women. He said a survey was being conducted in the district to enlist deserving widows who would be given sewing machines and other aid. He said official buildings lying vacant would be converted into hostels for the working women. He said every possible measure would be taken by the district government for the welfare of women.

District Executive Officer (education) Waseema Zahida and  Sarsabz Foundation Managing Director Dr Naveeda also spoke.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2012.