October 4, 2002	Friday	Rajab 26, 1423

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RAWALPINDI, Oct 3: Women politicians on Thursday stressed on the need for economic and political empowerment of women to bring them into the mainstream of the society.

They were speaking at a workshop ‘Manifestos of political parties and women rights issues’ organized by Aurat Foundation.

The women representatives of the major political parties — Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, Pakistan Awami Tehrik, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group), Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam group), People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) — and some independent candidates presented their stand on women issues.

Naeem Mirza of Aurat Foundation gave an overview of the manifestos.

Presenting her party’s point of view, a PTI representative, Humaira Khan, stressed on women education. She said most of the women were victims of negligence and oppression because they lacked awareness and were uneducated. She said her party, if voted to power, would provide education facilities to women.

Ms Khan opposed privatization of educational institutions, saying this would prevent children of the poor from getting education.

She also spoke about the centuries-old customs which discriminated women. Swara and Karokari, she said, were still being practised in the NWFP and Balochistan. These traditions have no Islamic base and should be done away with, she added.

The PAT deputy secretary-general, Mussarat Bashmir, stressed on religious education of women alongwith mundane learning. She said her party, according to its manifesto, would spread a network of educational institutions for women, including vocational, professional and training institutions.

She also stressed on scientific and technological education of women, besides fixing of a special 10-15 per cent job quota for them in every field.

She claimed that her party had a very modern view on women rights. She also stressed on proper health facilities for women.

A micro-finance programme under which women would be provided loans for business is also a part of PAT’s manifesto, she added.

PAT, she said, was against all kinds of discriminatory laws, traditions and customs against women.

A PML-N representative, Ms Nuzhat, underlined the need for ensuring women rights as given in Islam. She said her manifesto stood for equal rights for women, framing of special laws to protect women from customary exploitation, sexual abuse and ensure that they get their share of inheritance as given in the shariat.

Fauzia, representing PPP, said her party had always supported equal rights for women. She dwelt at length on the socio-economic problems being faced by women and urged unity among womenfolk to fight for their rights.

She said in theory every government claimed to be working for women rights, but practically nothing was being done to steer them out of the multi-faceted problems.

She stressed on representation of women judges at lower courts.

The PML-Q central vice-president, Ms Yaqut Jamilur Rehman, focused on rural women. She claimed that her party was the only party which conducted intra-party elections giving equal opportunity to women candidates. “Ours is a democratic party,” she claimed, adding that she secured the slot of central vice- president through elections.

She said a proper number of election tickets had been given to women contesting general elections.