Women termed catalysts of change

LahoreL Since the inception of the department in 2012, the focus of the Women Development Department has been on policy-making and legislation. But, now with the PTI government in power, the department is emphasising on implementation and service delivery.

Provincial Minister for Women Development Department Ashifa Riaz Fatyana said this while addressing International Women’s Day ceremony, organised by the Women Development Department Punjab.

Shahbaz Gill, spokesperson for CM Punjab, Punjab Commission on Status of Women Chairperson Fauzia Viqar, Parliamentarians and representatives of the governmental departments, national and international NGOs and media persons attended the event.

Ashifa, while talking about the importance of women as catalysts of change in the society, said ‘no society can achieve its potential with half of its population disenfranchised, disadvantaged and disempowered.’ She briefed about the initiatives of the department, Women Hostel Authority. The authority will be mandated to issue the license to private women hostels, ensuring standardised facilities and a check and balance for safety and security of the female residents.

Women Development Department Secretary said the targets of the department have been realigned with Punjab Growth Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals for achieving inclusive sustainable socio-economic empowerment of women in Punjab.

March: On the International Women’s Day on Friday, Aurat March (women’s march) was held in the City and the participants demanded protection of woman rights.

The roads of the City echoed with the voice of members of civil society organisations (CSOs). Men, women, students, intellectuals and people from other walks of life participated in the Aurat March to show solidarity with the women of Pakistan. The rally started from Lahore Press Club and terminated at Alhamrah, The Mall. The participants were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans demanding end to gender-based-violence, harassment at workplace for women and exploitation of working women.

They called for effective implementation of pro-women laws and equal economic opportunities for them. A human rights activist, Asma Amir, said women wanted representation in all fields with empowerment. All men and women are equal before the law and society should accept it, she said. Mumtaz Hussain, a human rights activist, said, “Our society could not progress without input from women. Bushra Khaliq highlighting the importance of International Women’s Day and said women were most exploited people in Pakistani society but it did not mean that they were weak.

Farooq Tariq said, “Let us resolve to revive the revolutionary and radical vision of origin of the International Working Women’s Day origin, when socialist feminist leaders like Clara Zetkin called for the liberation of women, transformation of economy, society and social relationships.