No society can progress without active participation of women: Hameeda Waheed

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Women Development Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din has said that no society can progress without active participation of women in the development process.

She was addressing a high level meeting regarding implementation of Women Package 2014 at Secretary Office, Johar Town today. Ombudswoman Punjab Dr, Mira Phailbus besides representatives of Punjab Skills Development Fund, Management & Professional Development, Industry, Commerce & Investment, Technical Education & Vocational Training, Transport, Local Government & Community Development, Health, School Education, Higher Education, Minority Affairs & Human Rights, Labour & Human Resource, Livestock & Dairy Development, Board of Revenue and Police were also present.

Provincial Secretary Women Development Irum Bukhari informed the meeting about the implementation of Women Package 2014. The meeting was informed that under a phased programme, women are being imparted training in various skills through different institutions. The meeting also reviewed steps for promotion of awareness regarding legislation for the protection of women especially law against harassment of women at workplace, provision of loans through Akhuwat and Rozgar Bank, training at TEVTA, establishment of family courts at district level and the programme of provision of training to minority women and wives of workers in various skills.

The meeting was further informed that rapid progress is being made towards launching of the pilot project of provision of scooties to working women in Lahore within three months. The meeting also reviewed implementation of the orders regarding free registration of children of low-income families at birth or in case of delay and operation of canteens by women contractors in all training and educational institutions for women.

The meeting decided that only women contractors will be awarded contracts of canteens in women universities. The meeting stressed the need for better coordination between focal persons of various departments under Women Package. It was told that 188878 chickens have been provided during current financial year to the women associated with poultry sector. It was told that progress is also being made towards setting up of a separate desk for women complainants in all police stations of the province.

Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din directed that early implementation of Women Package 2014 be ensured for economic empowerment of women.