A huge ceremony in connection with International Women’s Day was held at auditorium of Girls Guide Association, Lahore, organised by ‘Search for Justice’ on Thursday.
Provincial Minister for HR&MA Ijaz Alam Augustine graced the occasion as the chief guest while different parliamentarians, Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan Mateen Ameen, Second Secretary Australian High Commission Ms Lauren Waugh, DG Punjab Women Protection Authority Irshaad Waheed, Chairperson Punjab Women Protection Authority Kaneez Fatima and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.
Search for Justice Executive director Iftikhar Mubarak delivered the welcome speech and said that it was necessary to create such groups to address the issue of violence against girls. He said that empowering girls had tangible societal benefits, empowered girls eventually became empowered women.
Ijaz Alam Augustine said during his address that international day of women designated for promoting the rights of girls and addressing the unique challenges they face. He emphasised on the need for girls education and later providing adequate opportunities for productive work for well being and economic growth. He also reiterated the prime minister and chief minister’s vision of ensuring equal learning and work opportunities for girls and women in Punjab and Pakistan.
The minister said that Punjab govt was providing a platform to girls everywhere to be seen as equal and violence against women could be reduced by providing them education, vocational training and social support.
MPA Uzma Kardar said that to empower women economically the government has allocated 50 per cent share for them in the Prime Minister Youth Loan Scheme which reflects its commitment and dedication to the cause of women empowerment and gender equality. In view of the growing number of women joining different professions and public departments the Ministry of Human Rights has been running extensive awareness campaigns besides arranging training and capacity building programmes for lawyers, police and prosecutors to sensitize them regarding their attitude and behaviour towards their women colleague.
