January 29, 2006	Sunday	Zilhaj 28, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 28: With a view to provide support to working mothers associated with both private and public sector institutions, the first child day-care centre in the public sector was inaugurated on Saturday.

The facility attached with a child care training centre for girls has been established by the provincial women development department. The formal inaugural of twin facilities was performed by Begum Athar Ali, the wife of Corps Commander, this afternoon.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Minister for Women Development Dr Saeeda Malik said that the department was committed to the cause of women empowerment in its truest sense. The day-care centre, to cater children from two months to three years, would provide a major relief to the working mothers who may continue with their professional commitments, she said.

With regard to the training centre, the minister said this was to help gain economic independence for girls from both rural and urban centres through provision of three months extensive training focussed on child development, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid, early childhood learning.

On successful completion of training, she said, 15 selected candidates would be given a certificate, equally valid in the United States of America.

Dr Saeeda Malik said these trained girls would be able to get employment in the relevant organizations or start their own baby sitting centres in their respective districts. These trainees would be offered a monthly stipend of Rs1,000 while those from the interior of Sindh would also be offered free boarding and lodging facilities along with monthly stipend of Rs1,000.

She said that her department was committed to provide legal rights and mental relief to women. In this regard, the establishment of such a centre would be very helpful.

The ceremony was also addressed by Sindh Social Welfare Secretary Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Khushbakht Shujaat, Fatima Surraiya Bajia, Women Development Secretary Subhan Memon and Women Development Director Ali Mumtaz Zaidi.—APP