ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that concerted and integrated efforts are being made at the federal and provincial levels to provide equal opportunities to the women folk.
She was addressing a ceremony in connection with protection of women in Islamabad Thursday.
The Minister said the parliamentary committee which is framing electoral reforms these days has agreed to ensure greater participation of women in the electoral process. A quota is being allocated to enable women to contest elections on direct seats. She said our society is changing and becoming more receptive to the rights of women.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said education is the key for the empowerment of women. She said the government has launched education reforms program in the federal capital and currently in the process of reviewing the curriculum. She said efforts are being made to create greater awareness about women related legislation amongst the masses.
The Minister said focus should be on maximum engagement of male community in women empowerment and gender equality efforts as without their positive role no such efforts would yield productive results.
The State Minister stressed the need for training and building positive attitude among male towards the female strata from the very childhood.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said the increase in women awareness efforts is a reflection of the society`s enhanced responsiveness and sensitivity to the women issues.
The Minister said the right of equal opportunity for women is embedded in the Constitution and the State has reaffirmed the very resolve by granting the right of free education to all under the Seventeenth Amendment.
Earlier, addressing on the occasion, Chairperson National Commission for Status of Women Khawar Mumtaz noted that in Pakistan much progress has been witnessed in legislation on women issues but now the next step is to address the implementation challenges confronting these laws.
Khawar Mumtaz emphasized the need for enhanced service delivery, institutional regularization and capacity building of all relevant institutions that deal with women cases across the country. INP