RAWALPINDI: Speakers at a seminar here on Saturday asked women to play an active role in the development of the country.

They also stressed joint efforts to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for the women. They said no society can survive and progress without the active participation of women in the nation building.

The speakers said the mindset of society had to be changed in order to provide equal opportunities to the women.

The seminar on ‘Women empowerment package 2014’ was held at the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University.

Punjab Minister for Women Development Hameeda Waheeduddin was the chief guest while Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad, Director Women Development Syed Sajjad Tirmizi, MPA Tehseen Fawad and MPA Lubna Rehan were also present.

The minister said Islam laid emphasis on the rights of women, adding no society can progress without granting due rights to its women. She said the Punjab government had taken revolutionary measures for the protection of women’s rights.

The government has taken several steps to safeguard women from violence and enhance their empowerment at all levels.

Appreciating the women empowerment package announced by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, she said women’s deprivation would be eliminated by such steps so that they can play their role in national development.

She also highlighted the salient features of the package and said the government had introduced policies for the welfare and betterment of women.

Earlier, the minister also inaugurated a daycare centre on the premises of the university.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad said no other society or religion provided equal rights to women as Islam did.

He also appreciated the steps being taken by the government for the empowerment of women.

Appreciating the setting up of the daycare centre, the vice chancellor said the facility would be helpful in enhancing the female employees’ concentration on their work.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2015

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