Women’s involvement must for sustainable development: CDA

Islamabad: Member Planning and Design CDA Syed Mustafain Kazmi on Wednesday said that burden of this poverty on women must be reduced to ensure their empowerment which will trigger the national development.

Country can only progress if women are not neglected for which their empowerment is of paramount importance, he said.
He was speaking to women entrepreneurs representing Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) and Abbottabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI). Founder President IWCCI Samina Fazil, President IWCCI Farida Rashid, President AWCCI Firdosia Fazal, Adviser IWCCI Malik Sohail and other officials and members of both chambers were also present on the occasion. Mustafain Kazmi said that Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz is very keen to promote women; particularly businesswomen for which has formed a high-powered committee which will propose steps to achieve goal of gender equality and women empowerment.He said that CDA will give preferential treatment, concession and free services to women where possible as the present government is committed in creating an enabling environment for masses, business community and for women in particular.

Member Planning and Design CDA Syed Mustafain Kazmi said that meaningful and sustainable economic development must involve all citizens as economic growth can guarantee social harmony and prosperity. He said adding that poverty alleviation strategies are the central part of the overall national development initiatives.

At the occasion, Samina Fazil said that the women are a catalyst for change if the objective of eradicating poverty is to be attained. Farida Rashid said that policymakers should design development interventions in a way that could financially empower women to make a difference in their living conditions. Malik Sohail, who is also Chairman Media FPCCI, said that in today’s globalized world a level playing field for men and women is imperative. We need to explore innovative ways to overcome the obstacles to empower women and ensure gender equality, said Kazmi.