SWABI: Speakers at a programme at the University of Swabi here on Friday stressed the need for women role in national cohesion and the country’s progress.

The function was organised in connection with the International Women Day being observed on Sunday.

Hashmat Iqbal, Auditor General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was the chief guest on the occasion. A mushaira (poetry session) was also held in which renowned poets in their verses advocated for promotion of gender equality.

Speaking on the occasion, Hashmat Iqbal said that every day was a woman day in Pakistan because they confronted difficulties in life.

She said that maintaining and boosting the gender equality was central to the idea of development of Pakistan, which was a male-dominated society. “The empowerment of women is critical for economic progress,” she added.

“We should be committed to the promotion of gender equality and work for provision of opportunities to women, enabling them to materialise the dream of a prosperous future,” said Ms Iqbal.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Noor Jehan, vice-chancellor of the University of Swabi, said that a woman could play a vital role in development and motivation of the children to acquire quality education while protecting and safeguarding values of the society. She called for participation of women in decision-making and policy formulation processes to enhance their access to a variety of fields.

Dr Ebad Khan said that the time had come when ‘we should give up the outdated practices of confining the women to homes and refusing to give a full space to them to contribute to the country’s prosperity.

NEW SENATORS: The two newly-elected senators from Swabi, Liaqat Khan Tarakai and Sitara Ayaz, claimed on Friday that their victory was the result of a flourishing democracy in the country.

Mr Tarakai and Ms Ayaz emerged victorious on general and women seats, respectively. The former, founder of Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan (AJIP), had contested election on PTI ticket, and the later was ANP candidate.

Ms Ayaz, also the former provincial minister, told Dawn that she was happy to represent his party and province in the Upper House and that her priority was to play due role for awakening and empowerment of women. “It was really a great day for me and my party because we always fought for the women rights. It was ANP who first established a women wing in the party,” claimed Ms Ayaz, who started her political career from being a district council member.

To a question, she said the former elected senators from the district had failed to play their due role, but she planned to concentrate on welfare of people, especially women.

Ramazan Chaudhry, spokesperson for Tarakai family, said that Liaqat Khan Tarakai’s top priority would be progress and prosperity of the country. “Mr Tarakai will unveil his policy in a function on Saturday (today) at his residence here,” said the spokesperson. — Correspondent

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2015

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