RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister for Irrigation, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao has said that the provincial government is taking practical steps for development of women, protection of their rights along with provision of congenial working environment.

He was addressing at a seminar on “National Day for Working Women” held here on Thursday, organized by Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department in collaboration with Gender Reform Action Plan.

The seminar was also addressed by Provincial Minister for Labour and Minerals Development Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, President of KP Chamber of Commerce and Industry Women Wing Shamama Anbar Arbab, Dr Anosha Khan Chairperson Gender Studies Department University of Peshawar and attended by Secretary Social Welfare Abdul Jabbar Khan, Director Social Welfare and a large number of working women and representatives of NGOS working for the betterment of women.

The Minister said “22 percent of our population is working women, which needs further improvement and concentration upon women education is essential for the purpose.”

He said the government had keen interest to improve the over-all situation of women-folk in society and necessary legislation and other practical steps had been taken in that regard.

He further said “Bolo Help Line”, Women Commission and establishment of Working Women Hostel had got good appreciation from the society.

The Provincial Minister said that establishment of Darul Aaman in Chitral and other districts must be included in the next ADP and asked the concerned quarters to solve all the problems of the Working Women Hostel Peshawar in a month.

Addressing the seminar, Provincial Minister for Labour and Minerals Development Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli said that discussion in the parliament, universities, offices and socio-political gatherings about the women rights was a positive way toward awareness about women rights. She said the same sensitized the women-folk and society recognised the contribution made by women both in national economy and society. She also highlighted the role played by rural and house-hold women and paid rich tributes to their hard-working.