KARACHI, Jan 30: Sindh Women Development department has prepared a "Gender Reform Acton Plan (GRAP)", with the objective of improving the lot of women and empowering them in every walk of life.

Dr Saeeda Malik stated this while talking to a group of women belonging to different fields at her office on Sunday. She said a comprehensive plan in this regard would envisage reforms at national level, including revision of women's quota in public sector jobs, female education and their representation in the Sindh Public Service Commission etc.

She said the government was striving to empower women financially, particularly in rural areas. The minister said that two projects had been approved for women's skill development, besides setting up of sales, display and resource centre to provide them with a platform for their economic emancipation.

She said the government would provide required material to skilled rural women for handicraft production. She told the delegation that talks were under way with the First Women Bank to facilitate women in carrying out their business affairs.

Underlining the importance of female education, Dr Saeeda pointed out that in order to encourage girls enrolment in schools, incentive was given by way of paying stipend of Rs200 per month and providing free textbooks and uniforms in various schools under "Tawana Pakistan" programme funded by Baitul Maal.

She said the government had approved a "Family Protection Project" under which crisis and rehabilitation resource centres would be set up. -APP