Women’s role in social, economic development stressed

LAHORE
Women have to play their role in socioeconomic development and the government and civil society should create awareness about the importance of women in society.
These views were expressed by the women at Jang Economic Session on ‘Women’s role in socio economic development’ on Tuesday. The speakers were Fozia Qadir, Dr Ayesha Azam, Farha Naz Naqvi, Sajida Mir, Maha Bokhari and Farwa Shenaz. The session was hosted by Sikindar Lodhi.
Fozia Qadir said empowering Pakistani women economically was becoming the need of the hour.
She said in the past women played an important role in the country’s development. She said orthodox customs created hindrance in women empowerment. She said legislations on various women related matters were encouraging and positive steps towards empowering women. She said home-based working women data was not available in Pakistan while 52 per cent women were literate in Pakistan. She said trend of women towards unconventional education was growing while 70 per cent of females were enrolled in medical colleges. She called for media’s role in women’s empowerment.
Dr Ayesha Azam said women could play an important role in the country’s development. She said economic progress could not be achieved in the counties where women were neglected, adding women should have equal rights to men.
Farha Naz Naqvi said lack of education facilities caused ignorance and poverty in society which was the mother of all evils. Educated women build a civilized nation and they should be empowered to take decisions on cultural, social and economic fields, she said.
Sajida Mir said democratic setup remained incomplete without the involvement of women while in Pakistan women were kept away in political decision-making which should be discouraged.
She said it was the government’s responsibility to ensure education and health facilities for women but the government did not provide women with quality employment and facilities. She said women could not play their role in political parties. She suggested that data of home-based women workers should be collected at union council levels, which could be helpful in resolving their issues at national level.
Maha Bokhari said majority of educated women were not doing jobs. She said women should not get education for the sake of degree. They should contribute to economic development of the country. She said educated women could build a civilised society. She said those women were not allowed to go outside home for work should utilise their skills while sitting at home and carte self-employment opportunities. She said Islam permits women to do work and jobs within defined limits.
Farwa Shenaz said share of women in jobs was limited and they have limited education and health facilities. She said women should be provided equal opportunities in all sectors. She said job opportunities were very important to empower women.