HUNZA, Nov 19: Speakers at a seminar stressed the need for gender equality, saying that women should not be ignored if development and prosperity were desired.

They were speaking at a seminar held here on Tuesday on “Setting the Vision and the Need for Awareness in the Right Direction,” organized by Karakoram Area Development Organization.

Speakers, who also called for comprehending global changes and preserving the unique culture and traditions of the Hunza Valley.

They also emphasized the need for giving greater opportunities for womenfolk in all walks of life and create a balance society rather then creating hurdles for them.

They also urged to bring a change in societal attitudes towards women, saying they should be accorded equal status for the creation of a balanced society.

“(Only) those societies can flourish which keep their culture alive even in this era of cultural invasions from all over the world,” Brig (Retd) Hisamullah Baig said at the seminar, which was held at the FG Degree College Aliabad in Hunza here on Tuesday.

Brig Hisam stressed the need for holding such seminars on all major social issues to generate a debate and create awareness among the masses.

He called for bringing divergent ideas and views on one platform, to use them for the betterment of the society.

Khawaja Khan, chairman of Kado, highlighted the impact of the economic and development activities as well as that of the world media, saying that they were phenomenal changes were happening in local culture and traditions.