PUNJAB government’s initiative to provide cows and buffaloes to widows and divorced women in rural areas of South Punjab is a commendable step toward empowering some of the most vulnerable members of society. The program, worth two billion rupees, aims to uplift 11,000 destitute women in twelve districts of the region.
This initiative is a critical intervention in one of the country’s most economically underdeveloped areas. South Punjab has long struggled with issues such as poverty and lack of development. Women, in particular, face significant barriers to economic participation, often limited by cultural norms and a lack of financial opportunities. The provision of cows and buffaloes provides these women with a means to generate a steady income through milk production which can go a long way in improving their families’ living standards. The transparent implementation of the program is key to its success. It is imperative that the livestock reaches the most deserving women. For the program to truly empower these women, it is important that it is executed with integrity, free from any bias or exploitation. Transparent monitoring and oversight mechanism should be built into the program to ensure that the benefits reach their intended recipients. Moreover, while this initiative is a significant step forward, its scope needs to be expanded to reach even more deserving women in the region. Expanding such programs also addresses gender inequalities. Importantly, our dairy industry holds great promise, as the country is one of the world’s largest milk producers. However, despite this potential, there has been little emphasis on value addition and improved processing. Most of the milk produced remains in its raw form, with limited efforts made to convert it into higher-value products. The federal and provincial governments must prioritize investment in modern processing facilities, cold chains and training programs for women and rural entrepreneurs. The expansion of dairy processing could also create new job opportunities in rural areas, further boosting the local economy. It would ensure that Pakistan’s vast milk production is not only consumed domestically but can also be exported, providing an additional source of foreign exchange for the country.
