Australia Day in Spring: ‘Respect women to earn respect for Pakistan’

Australia committed to empowerment of women in Pakistan, says high commissioner .

LAHORE: Women’s empowerment is an effective way to promote economic growth and achieve lasting peace and security, Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward said at the annual Australia Day in Spring reception late on Monday.

The event was themed Promoting Gender Equality and Empowering Women and Girls for the Future.

Heyward said Australia’s aid programme to Pakistan aimed to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment through various projects and activities. He said they were looking to increase women’s participation in decision-making bodies, in leadership roles and in peace-building efforts; and encourage their economic empowerment and end violence against women and girls. The high commissioner said, “Australia and Pakistan’s links in the education sector have been growing each year as more than 10,000 Pakistani students now study in Australia.”

Home Minister Col (retd) Shuja Khanzada said Pakistan had been collaborating with Australia in several fields. He said the government of Pakistan was committed to empowering women. He said there were 65 women in the Punjab Assembly. He said that women played a crucial role in development. He said women’s empowerment was necessary to make Pakistan a successful country. “If we are to increase respect for Pakistan, we must respect our women first.”

After the speeches, the speakers cut a cake. Guests from Australia included Australian DJ MzRizk, former Masterchef Australia contestant (2013) Faiza Rehman and Melbourne hairdresser Joann Gan. A speaker said they had been holding classes and sharing their culinary skills with young women in Lahore, through master classes and workshops over the last few days. Melbourne-based DJ MzRizk, who has been spinning soulful tunes and dope beats for over a decade, treated the audience to a music collection which included hip-hop, soul, disco and jazz from all eras and featured Australian artists.

Achievements of Australian alumni were given tribute on the occasion and 12 alumni received the Australian Alumni Excellence Award 2015 for various scholarships and fellowships. The recipients included Dr Muhammad Anjum Zia, Ali Hasnain Syed, Dr Umera and Fahad Zulfiqar Ali.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2015.