Woman MPA’s should work for the rights of women : Salima Hashmi

Lahore: Elected women members provincial assembly should work for the rights of women at every level and utilize all resources for their socio-economic and educational development.

These views were expressed by Provincial Minister Salima Hashmi, Provincial Ombudswoman Dr. Mira Phailbus, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Secretary Women Development Department Punjab Irum Bukhari, Director Aurat Foundation Mumtaz Mughal, Naseem Zehra and others while addressing an awareness seminar and reception held in honor of newly elected women members provincial assembly arranged under the aegis of Women Development Department Punjab and Aurat Foundation. Besides women assembly members and representative women from civil society attended the function.

Provincial Secretary Irum Bukhari informed in detail about the legal steps taken for the protection of women and Women Package 2012. Provincial Minister Salima Hashmi and Dr. Mira Phialbus congratulated the women assembly members on taking oath and expressed their good wishes for overcoming the challenges and put forth various suggestions for resolving the women problems. They said that the women assembly members will have to work hard for coming up to the expectations of the people and the confidence reposed in them. They said that the socio-economically and politically conscious and empowered women will play their due role in the development of the country. They said that the legislation for women rights is need of the hour and we all will have to work jointly for this purpose. They also lauded the role of NGOs for struggling women rights. Mumtaz Mughal highlighted the women problems including eliminating discriminatory laws against women, political awareness, elimination of domestic violence, rights of home based women workers, early age marriage. She said that the budget in education and health sectors for women should be increased. She said that media can play an important role in this regard. Later, shields were given to the women provincial assembly members on behalf of Women Development Department Punjab and Aurat Foundation.