Wednesday, May 7, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 30, 1429    

Govt to take steps for ending gender discrimination: Marri

Karachi—Sindh Minister for Information Shazia Marri has said that women in the rural as well as urban societies are facing harassment and gender discrimination and the present PPP government will take steps to ensure end to it.
She was speaking as chief guest at a workshop on “provincial consultation on women rights strategy 2008” organised by action aid society, at a local hotel.
Female activists from various parts of Sindh & Balochistan presented papers in the workshop on situation analysis towards women status in the society.
Ms. Shazia Marri said that women are being crushed due to male domination and in rural areas their sufferings are at higher level.
She said ‘pardah’ is not an issue of the day and we must not compel women to separate themselves from the values of our society but we have to encourage them to follow good morals & values.
Ms. Marri paid rich tributes to PPP chairperson Shaheed Mohtrarma Benazir Bhutto and said she was a role model as a daughter, wife, mother and above all, a leader of a society which is dominated by male.
Mohtrarma Benazir Bhutto is a beacon of light for all females and her struggle towards a civilized society is unforgettable.
She emphasised upon change of attitudes towards women at house hold level by taking them on board to form a new strategy for them.
She assured that the Government is committed to give a reality to the dreams of Mohtrarma Benazir Bhutto regarding women rights and called upon the civil society to come forward and help government to get rid of bad values from our social life.
Among others Ms. Afzah Shahid, Ms. Hina Khan, Fatah Marri others addressed the workshop.—APP