HYDERABAD, May 21: Gender issues have been linked with political reforms to empower women, said Sindh Culture and Tourism Minister Sassui Palijo.

She was speaking as the chief guest at first International Conference on “Gender Mainstreaming” organized by the Institute of Women Development Studies (IWDS), University of Sindh in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission on Wednesday. The conference was attended by scholars from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Ms Palijo said it was most important for the society to empower women by providing them education and economic facilities. She said the government was striving hard to provide relief to people.

Sassui Palijo said education should get priority by enhancing facilities, especially towards women education. She said the previous PPP government established the First Women Bank for the betterment of females and also launched women police.

She said for mainstreaming women there was need to introduce political reforms including education facilities and employment in all areas. She said job opportunities will be created to empower women and they will be appointed in different departments on merit.Gita Rani Das, Rural Development Officer of Bangladesh Rural Development Board in her paper on “addressing violence against women in Bangladesh” said it is believed there that a fortunate man loses his wife, while an unfortunate a cow and added that it indicates how life of a woman depends on socio-cultural belief and practices.

She said violence against women was common in family life and society adding life of a woman is jeopardized by religious customs. Nevertheless, she said the state has signed and ratified some international conventions and there is provision in constitution of Bangladesh to take special measures and initiatives in their favor.