PESHAWAR, Dec 18: Speaker at a seminar on Friday expressed concern over lack of health facilities for women involved in agricultural activities and asked the government to ensure their safety so that they could play their part in the development of the country.

"Most of the women in the rural areas of the country are involved in farming with men and children but lack of healthcare facilities has been causing problems for them," said Master Khudad of the All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions (APFTU) at the seminar on 'Health safety of the women involved in agriculture".

He said most of those women faced numerous problems in getting safe drinking water and they worked in an environment which was not conducive for human life. Many of such women got afflicted with water-borne and other ailments, he said.

"These unfortunate women work overtime and they do not know about precautionary measures to be adopted during their work," he said.

He said it was the responsibility of the government to raise awareness among women agriculture workers regarding measures against avoidable diseases.

APFTU Deputy General Secretary Osama Tariq said the mortality rate among the women involved in agricultural activities had increased manifolds during the past years.

He said women played a significant role in the development of the country but neither the government nor the landowners paid heed to their health needs.

He said the International Labour Organization laid emphasis on safeguarding the rights of labourers and imparting them necessary training and tips to protect themselves against ailments.

"These women also suffer from mental disorders which poses obstacles in proper development and brining up of their children," he said.

He said that in addition to the government people should also take care of such women in line with religious injunctions.

NWFP Labour Department Deputy Director Zahoor Khan said women should be held in high esteem in a Muslim society. He stressed the need for enforcement of ILO laws that could guarantee their rights and healthcare.