Diplomats laud women empowerment initiatives in Pakistsn

Lahore: Diplomats of three countries have lauded women empowerment initiatives ernment saying that these steps have sent very positive signals around the world.

They said this while speaking at an iftar dinners hosted by Samina Fazil, President Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI).

Present on the occasion were Danish Ambassador Jesper Moller Sorensen, Rajesh Kumar Agnihotri and Shamshad Ansari, diplomats at the High Commission of India, High Commissioner of Australia Peter Heyward, his wife Susan Heyward, Azhar H. Shah of Australian Trade Commission, and Dr. Almut Besold, Resident Representative FNF.

Mr. Sorensen said that empowering women will help improve quality of life of people by reducing poverty in Pakistan.

We aim at strengthening entrepreneurial and technical skills of women so that they can become more competitive to become architects of their new lives, he added.

We have just signed an agreement with UN Women to provide one million dollars to improve lives of women in conflict hit areas, he informed.
The Danish Ambassador said that one year of additional education provided to a women increases income of a family by fifteen percent which benefits the family, community and whole of the society, therefore women empowerment has remained prominent feature of our aid to Pakistan,.

India diplomats said that Pakistani government has been focusing women empowerment which is a very positive sign.

They said that Pakistani business women are facing difficulties regarding visa which is being tackled on preference.

India High Commission has been trying to forge linkages between IWCCI and other Pakistani women chambers with their Indian counterparts so that they can boost business to enhance their standard of living.

Commerce ministers of Saarc countries will have a meeting in Bhutan by the next week which will bring India and Pakistan closer which is in the interest of both nations as trade is the quickest way to ensure cordial relations, informed Rajesh.

Mr. Shah said that Australia acknowledges great potential of Pakistani women and will provide them every opportunity to become financially independent.

Naima Ansari, Vice President FPCCI said that women should not focus on problems but solutions, try innovation and add value to products.

 She said that the Apex chamber will extend all the support to women so that they can become successful in life and businesses.

Samina Fazil said that we will leave no stone unturned to assist women, adding that strengthening of the economy is tied to contribution of women who are being provided guidelines and access to financial resources.

The present economic scenario calls for greater roles of women who constitute 52 per cent of the population but are generally ignored, she said.