BAJAUR: Elders of Warah area of Mamond tehsil here on Friday banned the women from personally collecting monthly stipends from centres set up by the World Bank under a cash grant scheme.

The decision was made at a jirga in Sawi area, with the participants making it clear that women personally visiting the centres every month for collection of stipend under the Child Wellness Grant was against local customs and traditions.

The elders said they had repeatedly requested the programme management to either give the amount to the men or arrange female staff at the centres operated under the Sada-i-Amn programme of the bank, but to no avail.

The jirga decided that no woman would be allowed to visit the centres from today (Saturday). It was also decided that if any tribesman allowed his female family member to visit the said centres he would be fined Rs10,000.

The elders also announced to collect Rs10,000 from the family of any woman telephonically calling to the local FM radio stations.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2021