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Thursday March 28, 2024

Focus on women welfare, development: minister

By our correspondents
June 23, 2017

Says interest-free loans being provided to women for self-sufficiency

LAHORE

Provincial Minister for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has said that no society of the world can make progress economically, socially and politically by ignoring its half population, which is responsible for 50 percent of the country’s economy.

She expressed these views while addressing a ceremony of Fatima Jinnah Civil Award 2016 held under the aegis of Provincial Women Development Department here Thursday.

The Punjab government is paying special attention to the welfare and development of the women, she added. She said that interest-free loans were being provided to the women for their self-sufficiency.

She said that vocational as well as special training of business was being imparted to the women. She said that business incubation centres were being set up under chambers of commerce and industries in eight big cities of the province for the purpose. She said that SME business training was being provided to more than 16,600 women entrepreneurs.

The provincial minister said that after amendments to the inheritance and violence laws, enforcement of the laws was being ensured so that safe atmosphere could be provided to the girls inside and outside the homes. She said that today’s Punjab was safe and full of opportunities for women.

Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said the Punjab government did not believe in quota system and gender discrimination with women, rather it was willing to provide equal opportunities to them on merit basis.

However, it is essential that the girls after getting higher education should not limit themselves in the houses, she added.

She said, "Like responsible citizens of the country, the women should also fulfil their national responsibilities as our religion as well as society also gives its permission." She said that women development and self-sufficiency meant to make them educated, healthy, safe and economically independent. She said that various projects, including Chief Minister’s Zever Taleem Programme, Education Endowment Fund, Skills Training  and Micro Financing, had been launch.

Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said that launching of Fatima Jinnah Award by Provincial Women Development Department in recognition of services of capable women being rendered in various sectors was a good omen which would not only encourage them but also motivate other women to come forward and play their due role in the country’s development. She informed the participants that due to Provincial Women Development Department and Punjab Commission of Women Status, incidents of injutices due to gender discrimination had decreased considerably for which both departments deserved praise. 

Provincial Secretary for Women Development Bushra Amaan told the provincial minister that Women Development Department under women Empowerment Programme had decided to award cash prizes to three categories of women and girls playing prominent role in education, sports, cultural and social activities which included Fatima Jinnah Women of the Year Award, Fatima Jinnah Youth Award and Fatima Jinnah Excellence Award. She said that according to the unanimous decision of Fatima Jinnah Award Committee, Dr Tahira Hussain and Dr Shahla Javed Akram were being awarded Excellence Award, Zahida Hameed Women of the Year Award and Shumaila Nazir and Hushna Sohail Youth Award. The women development secretary also announced Rs 200,000 each for the award winners. Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha gave away awards to the selected women and congratulated them on their achievements. She said that more projects would also be launched for the welfare of women.