May 23, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 17, 1429

KARACHI, May 22: Sindh Minister for Women Development Tauqir Fatima Bhutto has said that the government is considering various proposals for the welfare of women and these include establishment of women hostels in all districts of Sindh.

Talking to a representative delegation of women in her office here on Thursday, she said funds were made available through a microfinance scheme for the purpose.

She said an amount of Rs30,000 would be given to a woman applicant as a loan to be payable in easy instalments to help her have a respectable living through self-employment.

The minister said that women centres would also be set up in Larkana, Sukkur, Hyderabad and other districts for rehabilitation of the women in distress. These centres, she added, would work to create public awareness about violence against women and provide free legal assistance, accommodation, vocational training and psychological counselling to needy women.

The minister said that display centres would also be established for handicrafts where products made by women for sale would be promoted.

Ms Bhutto stressed the need for setting up skill development centres for rural women so that employment opportunities could be created for women of the rural areas of Sindh.

She said that time had come for women to play their due role for the rapid development and progress of the country.

She urged women to explore their political power and get their problems resolved and put in their best efforts in every walk of life, especially in the fields of education, health and sustainable development.—APP