Women empowerment: 61 government-funded daycare centres operational, minister says

Daycare centre inaugurated at Forman Christian College

LAHORE: As many as 61 government-funded daycare centres are currently operational in the Punjab, Minister for Women Development Hameeda Waheedud Din said on Tuesday.

She was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a daycare centre at the Forman Christian College (FCC). The project was funded by the government’s Women Development Programme Fund (WDPF).

FCC Rector Dr James A Tebbe, Vice Rector Dr Joseph Jones, Registrar Dr Hamid Saeed, Chief Advancement Officer Yvette Jones and Alumni Association President Chaudhry Ahmad Saeed were present on the occasion. The centre is meant for children up to three years old.

The minister said that the government was taking various steps for women empowerment, including setting up of daycare centres.

“The participation of women in the development process results in economic prosperity. There is a need to change mindsets for the economic empowerment of women in developing countries,” she said.

She said that job quota for women in government departments had been increased from five per cent to 15 per cent. “Daycare centers and hostels are being set up with the endowment fund of Rs600 million. The provincial ombudswoman is being given more powers,” she said.

Tebbe said that it was very important to support working women by providing them reliable childcare.

Tebbe presented a shield to Waheedud Din. He also distributed recognition gifts to the FCC Day Care committee to acknowledge their support in completing the project. Tebbe also presented a shield to Women Development Department Director Sajid Tabrezi for his efforts.

The centre employs trained staff. Lesson plans are designed to increase the physical and mental capabilities of the children. Daily activities are planned for social development, language and literacy, creative representation, movement, music, logic and mathematics. The centre has a large outdoor play area for toddlers and a separate area for mothers.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2015.