BUNER, Oct 14: Dr Maria Jehanzeb, who had been elected councillor from the union council Pandire Chaghorzai and later on elected member district government on the reserved seat for females, has expressed concern over the poor life standard of womenfolk in the district and called for special attention towards improving their lot.

She told this correspondent that her taking part in the local politics was actually a commitment to bring positive changes in the life of local women.

Being an educated lady, she has a keen awareness of what she called the “terrible life” lived by the housewives here as well as in the far-flung areas. Those living in hilly areas have a magnitude of misery twice as much, she said.

It surprised her no end to note that the elected female councillors, including those of the district government, were unable to write their name and wondered what role these women could play for the constituency they represented.

She noted that most of the female councillors had been dragged into politics by the males “to fill in the blanks” but now these ladies were not being allowed to attend meetings outside their homes.

She described the lack of education as the chief cause of the women’s problems. She said female education had not been given due attention and only three high schools to cater for half a million population was a bad joke.

The women are made to collect firewood, prepare meal, graze cattle and take care of the children, she deplored.