Helpline launched to address women’s issues

Helpline launched to address women's problems across the province

LAHORE:

The Women Development Department on Thursday launched a helpline [0800-933-72] to address problems faced by women across the province.

The service has been introduced in collaboration with the Enhanced Democratic Accountability and Civic Enhancement (EDACE) and IBEX Global.

“The helpline is a great initiative aimed at empowering women,” Women Development Secretary Irum Bukhari said at the launch of the service.

She said cooperation of district coordination officers and government departments was vital to making the helpline a success.

Bukhari said once a complaint was launched through the helpline, an SMS would be sent to the official concerned. She said a complaint number would be sent to the complainant for future reference.

The secretary said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had tasked the department with introducing legislative reforms, economic empowerment of women and transforming provincial and district governments into gender responsive organisations through gender mainstreaming.

Women Development Minister Hameeda Waheeduddin, the chief guest, said the government was committed to women empowerment. Waheeduddin praised department’s technical partners for their help in launching the helpline.

She said the Punjab Protection of Women against Harassment at the Workplace Act 2012 had been passed in order to ensure protection of women at workplace.

Zahid Elahi, the head of the EDACE and the IBEX Global CEO, also spoke on the occasion. There was also a live call demonstration.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2014.