Please stop violence against women: Begum Zakia Shahnawaz

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Population Welfare, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz has said that there is a need for change in mindset for checking violence against women. Women should also have awareness about their rights, she added.

She was addressing a seminar on elimination of violence against women arranged by Girl Guide Association at Guide House, here today. The seminar was attended by the women belonging to various walks of life.

Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said that women are 52% of country’s population and playing an important role in the development of the country. She said that government has made legislation for women’ rights and now they can get their share from inherited property without any hurdle. She said that women have been given age relaxation in government jobs besides daycare centers and women hostels are being set up for them.

Begum Zakia Shahnawaz further said that government will also take steps for imposing a ban on marriage of the girls below the age of 18 years and their working as housemaids. She said that women workers will be encouraged in every field of life. She said that violence against women should be discouraged and they should have awareness about their rights. She said that social trends will not change unless women raise their voice for their rights. Khadeeja G A Khan also addressed the seminar.