The UAF vice chancellor looks at paintings displayed at a cultural show on the occasion. PHOTO: EXPRESS
FAISALABAD: “Pakistan is ranked second lowest among 136 countries in gender equality according to the Global Gender Gap Report,” University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan said on Saturday.
He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of UAF Ladies’ Circle in connection with the Women’s Day.
Female students ride bicycles provided by the university for easy commute on campus. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Khan said the Ladies Circle would serve as a platform for addressing women’s issues and enhancing their role in socio-cultural development.
“Women’s empowerment is necessary for sustainable development and prosperity… We cannot progress without including women in socioeconomic activities,” he said.
He said the UAF planned to provide bicycles to girl students for easy commute on campus.
“The gender ratio in the postgraduate programmes at UAF is 47 women to 53 men… a day care centre, a women’s complex comprising four hostels with state-of-the-art residential and sports facilities, a career development centre and a hostel have been established for women at the university,” he added.
Anjum Alam Shah of the All Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA) said women were an asset. She said the APWA had been working for economic, social and moral welfare of women.
Shah donated Rs20,000 to the UAF Ladies’ Circle.
Institute of Rural Home Economics Chairperson Naheed Abbas said the UAF was facilitating women. Abbas also requested the participants to take steps for raising awareness among the masses about the importance of women’s empowerment.
Participants chit chat during tea at the art gallery. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Noureen Rana from the Zoology Department said the UAF Ladies Circle would hold activities including counselling and mentoring sessions. She said a gymnasium would also be set up for women.
Husna Cheema from the Aurat Foundation said Faisalabad was the worst city in the country in terms of women’s empowerment.
She said women faced challenges in every male-dominant society.
She said her organisation was doing its best to tackle women’s issues.
Mahrukh Saeed from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, said women played a pivotal role in the society.
Saeed said that a lack of decision making freedom was one of the barriers to progress.
Tahira Iqbal said Islam gave great importance to women and provided them equal rights. She called for stepping up efforts for the women empowerment in the society.
Sadaf Zahra Naqvi from Engro Foods said women were on par with men. She urged the women to prove their mettle.
Fatima Mustafa said women’s empowerment could help poverty alleviation. She said equality in socioeconomic, political and legal rights were necessary for the country to compete with the rest of the world.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2014.
COMMENTS (4)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEFGenderGapReport_2013.pdf
Although the above report has completely different perspective but its sad how we consider riding bicycles as something very important.
America & their inferiority complexed Pakistani Americans go ask how many times a Lady President has ruled the country. Stop comparing a country who had no Justice and still has so much racism with new countries like Pakistan. Just because our women are not getting naked & dancing and dating very often doesn't mean this is inequality.
The writer needs lessons on balanced writing... the subeditor should read the article before finalising the headline. *Pathetic piece!!!!! Since its pathetic headline doesn't match the all-good content.
i think we should focus on gender justice rather than gender equality. Even Islam gives a proper justice to every gender.