Empowering women emancipation: USAID supports KP Assembly resolutions

PESHAWAR: Agency for International Development (USAID) and a local NGO, 'Pak Women,' supported the Women Parliamentary Caucus of KP for the passage of the three landmark resolutions from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly that would facilitate and empower women, providing them broader opportunities to earn a living.

A spokesman for the USAID through a statement said that after the Assembly's approval, letters of Instructions have been issued to the Social Welfare and Women Development Department, the Agriculture, Livestock and Dairy Department, and the Health Department for the implementation of these resolutions within two months.

Meraj Humayun, Member Provincial Assembly and Chairperson of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, commenting on the passage of the resolutions said that, "These resolutions are a precursor to legislation." Amna Sardar, Member Provincial Assembly and Member of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, termed these resolutions as a giant leap in the direction of emancipation of women. "Without USAID support, these would not have seen the light of day.

These resolutions will definitely enhance and affect women participation in other departments, too," Sardar said. Azra Gul, the CEO of Pak Women, praised USAID's support and said, "KP's economy is dependent 70 per cent on agriculture for its revenue and contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product/ per capita income, so increased participation of women in the agriculture sector will greatly contribute to the country's GDP."