Governor urges educated women to contribute to nation-building

Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair has asked women who have acquired professional education and degrees to join the country’s workforce in order to play their due role in the process of nation-building.

Zubair said this while addressing an award ceremony that was organised by the Karachi Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Governor House on Sunday. Prominent women associated with various fields were present on the occasion. They included the women chamber’s executive members Ghazala Saifi, Rukhsana Abbas, Naheed Haroon, Farida Qureshi and Amna Faraz.

Zubair said the country’s women are quite capable and talented, as they have been competing with men in every field. He said Pakistani women have proven their worth in the fields of medicine, administrative services, accountancy, banking, business, entrepreneurship, social work and politics with their devotion and dedication.

The entire nation is proud and thankful to women for their contributions that have helped the country move forward, he added. Citing a study, the governor expressed concern that only 20 per cent of women opt to work after obtaining a degree.

This is very alarming and a matter of grave concern, he added. “We must encourage and motivate women to contribute towards the nation’s progress by working in their chosen fields.”

Zubair stressed that it is essential for the progress and prosperity of the country that every professional and capable person join the workforce, irrespective of their gender. He said Fatima Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto, Bilquis Edhi, Asma Jahangir, Raana Liaquat Ali Khan and Akram Khatoon are beacons of light for other women, as their contributions to the country are enormous.

He also found it quite encouraging that a large number of women have been setting up their own businesses. The women chamber of commerce and industry has done a great job by bringing together renowned women and recognising their services, he said.

The women who received life-time achievement awards from the governor included Florence Villers, Saadia Naveed, Tasneem Ahmer Abbas, Munavar Shakir, Momina Duraid, Sophia Saifi, Dr Iffat Yazdani and Akram Khatoon.