LAHORE: Special Assistant the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Sunday the government was taking effective steps to empower women by ensuring their rights as per the vision of the prime minister.

Addressing a ceremony held in connection with International Women’s Day here, she said the day highlighted women’s struggle and importance in society. “Today is the day for all to salute our mothers. I pay tribute to women playing an effective role in the socio-economic development of the country. Pakistan has talented women in every field.”

“Why only March 8, as every day is women’s day and the day of their empowerment,” the SAPM added.

Dr Awan advised women to avail benefits through the government’s ‘Hunarmand Programme’.

“No sector in Naya Pakistan can progress without empowering women. Women will have all their due rights in New Pakistan,” she said, asserting that “Pakistani women are playing an active role in every sphere of life.”

“I am proud that I belong to an Islamic welfare state. Our ideology is based on Islam that advocates love, peace, humanity and fraternity as well as honour and respect for women. I salute pious personalities of Islam and Hazrat Khadijah (RA) is a role model for us.”

She said that all the constituents of the United Nations Charter of Demand had already been manifested in the Holy Quran.

“Muslim women were custodian of social traditions,” she said and asserted that adverse social behaviours were causing injustice to women.

“Today, the world community and its behaviours have changed substantially and women have equal opportunities in all spheres of life.”

“Women can become a society’s strength provided they have complete patronage of the government and are encouraged by society,” she observed.

The prime minister’s vision of the State of Madina could not be materialised without empowering women, she added.

“Despite all odds and social pressures, women are serving in every sector including Pakistan Army. Today is also the day of peace, and Pakistani women are the ambassadors of peace, therefore, they must highlight Pakistan’s brighter and soft image in the world,” she stressed.

Speaking about women of held Kashmir, she said International Women’s Day was incomplete without mentioning the Kashmiri women. “Today we have to shake world’s conscience as international human rights organisations are not raising their voice over Indian atrocities against people of occupied Kashmir including Kashmiri mothers, sisters and daughters,” she claimed.

Pakistan would continue to highlight the issues of Kashmiris and the plight of Kashmiri women, she vowed.

“Why those, talking about women rights, are ignoring the rights of Indian and Kashmiri women,” she said, adding, “why international organisations were hesitant to take notice of [Indian Prime Minister] Narendra Modi’s tyrannies in India.”

Regarding the “Aurat March”, Dr Awan said “Madar-i-Millat Fatima Jinnah should be a role model for us and today was the day to pay homage to the women of Pakistan Movement.”

“Today, mothers should be paid tributes also,” she said.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2020