LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday announced giving 33pc representation to women on all decision-making boards and setting up special centres for the women subjected to violence.

Speaking at the International Women’s Day here, he said the government has decided to give 33pc representation to women on all decision-making boards and committees to help participation of women of different sectors in decision-making process.

He said it had also been made compulsory that a woman should be the member of the recruitment committee in government institutions. He also announced setting up of a committee to take further decisions for the empowerment of women with its consultation.

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The chief minister also announced special centres for provision of justice to women subjected to violence and said that women staff would be deputed at these centres. The first centre would be set up in Multan where the police, prosecution, medical and forensic facilities would be available under one roof. He promised to make it a unique centre in South Asia for redressing the grievances of women.

Recalling the legal steps the Punjab government has taken, he said further legislation would be carried out with the consultation of women. He said revolutionary measures had been taken for ensuring women’s share in inheritance, protection of their rights and 15pc quota in government jobs.

He said that in Malaysia, Turkey, Iran and other Islamic countries, women have worked side by side with men and taken their countries far ahead. He said women as doctors, engineers, bankers, specialists and bureaucrats in these countries had changed the destiny of their nations.

He said Pakistani women like that of other Islamic countries would have to come forward and play their due role in the practical field. He said the Punjab government would continue to take effective measures for the development of women.

The chief minister said that through Akhuwat Foundation, small loans were being given to women to help them stand on their own feet and the rate of repayment of loan was almost 100pc. He said self-finance scheme had been abolished in medical colleges and other educational institutions for upholding merit. He said the quota system also had been done away with.

Referring to terrorism, he said organisations like Daish and Boko Haram tarnished the image of Islamic world. He said besides the use of force for elimination of terrorism, provision of education, health and justice, elimination of unemployment and poverty, and equitable distribution of resources was essential for rooting out this menace.

He said it’s lamentable that Muslims are killing fellow Muslims and bloodshed is being enacted in the name of Islam. He said people of Pakistan and the entire leadership was determined to ridding the country of terrorism.

Country Head of DFID in Pakistan Richard Montgomery, United Nations’ Country Director Jamshaid Qazi and a number of women were present.

Published in Dawn March 9th , 2015

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