PAKISTAN: National Working Women Day Today: Government Empowering Womenfolk in the Country

The government has not only empowered the womenfolk in the country but also working to provide them space in all walks of life, said, Goodwill Ambassador for Women Empowerment Syeda Fiza Batool Gilani.

Addressing a seminar here on Wednesday in connection with ‘National Working Women Day' celebrations and arranged under the aegis of Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Fiza Gilani said gender equality was a fundamental right and the government is committed to gender equality and advancement of the womenfolk.

It is worth mentioning that Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has announced to celebrate December 22 as ‘National Working Women's Day'.

The seminar was held to highlight the problems faced by the workingwomen in the country in general and AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan in particular and to ponder on the suggestion and proposals for the resolution of the gender related issues. Fiza Gilani said only mass awareness, proper implementation of women related legislation and vigilance could ensure women empowerment in the country.

“The PPP–led government passed various legislations friendly to the women including ‘Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, Anti-Women Practices and Acid Prevention and Acid Crime Bill' to end discrimination and violence against the women, she said.

Fiza hoped the authorities of Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan would also adopt such legislation for the welfare of women. “Women comprise more than half population of our country and their potential cannot be left unattended. Workingwomen have proved as practical manifestation of determination towards their goal and working hard in diversified fields of life”, Syeda Fiza said. She further said Islam also attaches great respect and reverence to the women, who share burden of their families.

“We are living in the era where women are defining their status globally and playing a pivotal role in the development of country”, Fiza said. Empowerment is not mere an abstract idea but it necessitates the role of women and men equally for the uplift of the country, she added.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo speaking on the occasion said Islam is first religion to give equal status to women and our Holy Prophet (PBUH) gave dignified status to women for the first time in the world. He (PBUH) raised the voice for women rights at that time of ignorance when people used to bury their daughters alive. He said women empowerment and equals status to them are top agenda of PPP government.
He told the participants that his own daughters are in working in political and social fields and I treated than equal to my sons. The proper utilization of the area can uplift the life of inhabitants, he added.