Home-based workers policy
demanded on International Women’s Day
From Our Correspondent
MULTAN: Local NGOs organised a rally to observe the International Women’s Day here on Tuesday.
Hundreds of women led by Munazza Hashmi, Gul Nausheen, Aqsa Arshad, Ayesha Nazir, Nadia, Madam Shabnam, Asifa Saleem, Shabana Naz, Shamim Akhtar and Amina Begum participated in the rally. They were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans: “We want gender equality” and “We want equal rights.” They demanded the government give due representation to women in official committees and announce the home-based workers policy immediately. Meanwhile, addressing a seminar, the NGOs representatives said that the society could not progress without giving equal rights to the women.
Meanwhile, activists of Home Based Women Workers Federation and National Trade Union Federation took out a joint rally from Chowk Nawan Sheher up to the press club. The rally was led by HBWF Punjab president Zubaida Malik.
Speaking on the occasion, Zubaida Malik criticised women violence and exploitation. Sughra Jamil, Asia Awan, Zahida Perveen, Huma, Samina Asif, Shazia Waqas, Rukhsana Altaf, Shah Wali Rajput, Malik Khuda Bakhsh, Liaqat Chohan and others also spoke on the occasion.
FAISALABAD: Like other parts of the globe, the International Women’s day was observed at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, on Tuesday.
In this connection, different events, including walks, girls’ cycle race, cooking contest and tug of war were arranged to mark the day. The walk was led by UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan which started from Iqbal Auditorium and culminated at Admin Block. The participants chanted slogans on the importance of the role of women in the national development. Speaking on the occasion, the UAF VC stressed upon the need for active participation of women in socio-cultural activities. He said that education works as engine of uplift for any nation. He lauded the steps of the government being taken for empowering women and bringing them in the decision making for uplift of the country. In the cycling contest, more than 50 girls participated. Meanwhile, various organisations organised functions on the International Women’s Day. The students of MEd of Punjab Medical College also organised a walk and a seminar on the day.
MUZAFFARGARH: Various functions and rallies were organised under the auspices of different NGOs on the International Women’s Day here on Tuesday.
In this connection, a rally was organised under the auspices of local NGOs in which participants were carrying placards and banners inscribing slogans in favour of women rights. The participants said that March 8 holds a historic importance as it had emerged as a symbol of struggle of women workers of the world against long excesses and atrocities. They called for giving equal rights to the women. Meanwhile, while addressing a seminar, various speakers said that no society could get progress till accepting the rights of the women workers and considering them as citizens with equal rights. They said that millions of Pakistani women were the equal partner in the production process but were deprived of all their basic rights. The speakers threw light on the year 2016 theme which is ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality’. Likewise, a seminar was also held at the Government Degree College for Women, which was chaired by Principal Prof Rehana Bilqees while Prof Tasleem Fatima, Prof Misbah Shahzadi and others also spoke.
TOBA TEK SINGH: Activists of the Labour Qaumi Movement Women Wing and Bhatta Mazdoor Union Women Wing on Tuesday took out a rally to observe the International Women’s Day.
It started from Gojra Road Municipal Octroi Post and culminated at Shahbaz Chowk. While addressing the gathering, Ms Sajida Parveen, Ms Shagufta, Ms Nasim, Muhammad Shabbir, Zubair Ch and Akash Ashfaq lauded the Punjab Assembly for passing the Women Protection against Violence Act.
CHAKWAL: Speakers at a seminar have urged the government to ensure equal rights of women in the country.
The seminar was organised by the district government and the Chakwal Press Club jointly on the International Women’s Day here on Tuesday. The seminar was chaired by DCO Mehmood Javed. The DCO said that a shelter home was near completion in the city and the Punjab government had provided Rs 27 million for the project. Later, a rally was also taken out from the Chakwal Press Club to mark the day.
JHANG: Punjab Teachers Union district women chapter president Farkhanda Usman Tuesday welcomed the decision of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif regarding increase in women quota for government jobs from five per cent to 15 per cent and relaxation in age limit.
Addressing a seminar held in connection with the International Women’s Day, she said the Punjab government also approved compulsory presence of a woman member in selection committee of all provincial departments. She said mostly clerical posts in girls’ schools of the district were occupied by males and it was against the policy of the government, saying that female clerical staff in girls’ schools, colleges and other offices would be helpful in creating a better working environment for women. She said women of backward and rural areas were also equally contributing to the national economy by working in education, agriculture, health and other sectors. Farkhanda urged the CM to waive school and college admission and examination fee of all deserving and orphan female students.
