TIMERGARA, Dec 27: Several non-governmental organisations have stepped up efforts to ensure women’s participation in the coming election in Lower Dir after signing agreements with donors for the purpose.

About 65 women activists attended a workshop held at Talash by an NGO, Award, with the support of the Free and Fair Election Network.

The speakers discussed the importance of women’s vote and urged them to raise voice for their rights.

They appealed to women to vote for the candidates who were interested in solving their problems.

All the political parties had signed agreements in the local bodies elections in 2001 and 2005 and parliamentary polls in 2002, barring women of the district from voting.