GILGIT, Feb 16: Women councillors of union councils in Yaseen tehsil, 110 km west of Gilgit in the western district of Ghizer, have protested that they had not been provided funds from the annual development programme (ADP) of fiscal year 2005-06 for initiating development schemes in their constituencies.

In a joint statement, union councillors Shahida Begum, Ruqaiya Jan, Mashoora, Bibi Nadir, Naku Jan, Bulbul Shireen, Najma Bibi and Sher Bibi said that it was unjust and discriminatory to deprive them of development funds on the basis of gender.

They said though the government had increased and ensured participation of women in the local bodies by reserving 33 per cent seats for women, it however did not increase funds in proportion with the increase in seats.

“We are being told to share funds with our male counterparts and there are separate funds available to carry out schemes aimed at the development of thousands of women in their constituencies,” they said.

They said they had contacted chairmen of their respective union councils for the provision of funds, but they were told that only male councillors were entitled to utilize funds. They complained that this left them (women councillors) at the mercy of their male counterparts.

They said: “It is futile to become councillors without funds, which sometimes causes us embarrassment in our constituencies when we are encountered with questions relating to women’s development.”

They called upon President Gen Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and federal minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas to intervene in the matter and ensure restoration of funds for development schemes.

Earlier, female members of the Ghizer district council had also lodged similar complaints.