It is imperative to invest in Technical & Vocational Education, and Training (TVET) to achieve the 2030 Vision of SDGs. The government must count low in literate youth – particularly girls and young women while formulating youth policies and establishing a mechanism to counter the rising graph of the female school dropout ratio. These demands were raised by the participants of a Consultation Meeting ‘Enabling Empowerment of Women through TVET’ convened by the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM).
The event gathered 36 representatives of academia, TEVTA, PVTC, and civil society representatives. Shazia George executive director AWAM said, “The legal marriage age of 16 in Punjab is preventing girls from completing their 12 years of schooling and exposes them to various forms of violence.” She suggested, “The government must raise the legal age of marriage from 16 to 18 and take appropriate measures to ensure that girls receive at least a secondary school education.” Sonia Patras deputy director AWAM said, “In the contemporary era of technological advancement making the girls and women familiar with technology is indispensable to meet the targets under international agreements especially SDGs.” Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Associate Professor highlighted, “Social taboos and stereotypes have affected the society and created a huge gender disparity in every sector which needs to be counter at every level and the role of the state in it is pivotal.” Principal Punjab Vocation Training Education Muneer Tariq said, “To expand the outreach and sensitize the local communities about the TVET, it is inevitable to build liaison with civil society organizations and academia.” The authorities and political decision-makers must increase the budget allocation in TVET sector keeping in view the current demand, added he.
Director TEVTA FaizBuzdar said, “The government institutes are under-resourced and inconsistent with the local demands; therefore, requiring the attention of NGOs and other philanthropists to balance the demand and supply.” Qamar Abbas assistant deputy director Department of Labour and Human Resources said, “The component of sexual harassment at the workplace and the so-called honor associated with women are the further hurdles to enabling the empowerment of women, especially through technical & vocational education, and training.”
