Zubair Qureshi
President Dr Arif Alvi has called education and empowerment of women imperative to put Pakistan on the road to progress and prosperity.
Speaking at the Women Leaders Awards the president said women played an important role in the development of Pakistan and healthy women always laid the foundation of a healthy society.
He appreciated the Indian citizen Muskan Khan for her bravery to protect her civic rights. He said Islam gave rights to women but the local influences of societies diminished those rights. Women were in the forefront for the struggle for independence of Pakistan, he said adding Fatima Jinnah, sister of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah stood by him and contributed as a public figure in political movements.
This sent a message to women that Quaid-e-Azam supported the role of women in the social and economic development of the country, the president noted.
The president said courageous women changed the course of history and led for positive change in society. He opined that the collective efforts of the government and people could bring significant social changes, adding women always made sacrifices for their families.Women could work from home and earn for their families by utilizing the present age information technology, he observed. He underlined the need for providing women suitable opportunities so they could utilize their skills.
The president also urged citizens to play their role and help women in distress. He said the anti-harassment law was in place and women could report any case of harassment.
He called for more discussion on initiatives to protect the rights of women and provide them a secure environment at workplaces.
The president noted that the problems of women and child nutrition persisted in Pakistan and it affected the whole family.
It was the responsibility of women leaders to raise awareness about issues of women. Media could also play its due role in this regard, the president said. The president said television should air those dramas which discouraged violence on women and encouraged values of respect and dignity.The progress of women and society were interlinked and Pakistan could make strides in different avenues of life when women would be educated and empowered, he stressed.
