ISLAMABAD: The Capital Administrational and Development Division (CADD) has introduced a policy to establish day care centres for the children of female employees at all women’s educational institutions.

A summary on the topic has been sent to the planning commission, which has agreed to release the necessary funds.

“We have made a proposal and sent it to the planning division. It is encouraging that we immediately received a response from the planning division to establish the day care centres in educational institutions,” CADD Joint Secretary Rafique Tahir told Dawn.

For optimum economic development, it is necessary that 100 percent of the male and female population participates in the market. In Pakistan, only 26 per cent of women work.

Additionally, a significant number of women leave their jobs after the birth of their first child, which has a negative impact on economic activity.

On April 17, the Social Policy and Development Centre held a conference titled ‘Women, Work and Poverty’ in which the federal minister for planning, development and reforms, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, said that the women have an important role in the development of the country.

The minister added that the government has taken significant steps to ensure the inclusion of women in Pakistan’s economy.

Part of the new CADD policy states that existing day care centres should also be brought up to the standard.

A female official from the Federal Directorate of Education said that day care centres should be established in all campuses of women’s colleges and schools, and said that the CADD has taken a positive step.