Journey of progress and empowerment of women is continuing:Zakia Shahnawaz

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz has said that the journey of progress and empowerment of women is continuing and implementation of women package is an important link in this regard the credit for which goes to Punjab government, media, NGOs as well as women.

She was addressing a seminar held on the occasion of world women’s day arranged by Women Development Punjab at Punjab Institute of Literature, Art and Culture. The First Provincial Ombudswoman Dr. Mira Phailbus, Provincial Secretary Irum Bukhari, Arfa Khalid MPA, Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Mumtaz Mughal, Aaima Mahmood, Fauzia Waqar, Actress Nisho, Salman Abid, Dawood Saqlain, Tom Adams of DFID UK and Special Assistant Naseem Bano and others were also present. Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said that economic empowerment of women was a dream which the women package of Punjab government has realized. She said that women development department by implementation of this package in a short period of time has proved that economic, legal and social protection of women is essential to enable them play an affective role in national development. She said that there is a need for collective efforts for eliminating discrimination against women at every level and to resolve on this day that the efforts in this regard will continue till the target is achieved. She said that no society can progress without participation of women in the development process. She said that through economic empowerment and legal protection of women, Punjab government has proved that it is taking the problems of women seriously.

First Provincial Ombudswoman said that the appointment of Ombudswoman in the province will ensure protection of working women and no one will be able to harass them at palace of work as there is forum and laws for immediate redressal of their grievances. She said that discriminatory attitude is adopted with the women in the society but the women package of Punjab government will ensure legal protection at to the women every level.

The speakers highly appreciated Punjab government and Provincial Secretary Irum Bukhari for her efforts for implementation of women package. Earlier, Secretary Irum Bukhari briefed the participants about the aims and objectives of the setting up of Women Development Department and women package. She said that Punjab government realized the dream of protection to women and their economic empowerment within a short period of eleven months. Shields were distributed among the participants at the conclusion of the function.