Workshop on gender equality, social welfare of women held

Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Begum Zakia Shahnawaz has said that journalism is a sacred profession and the people associated with this profession can play an important role in the social development. She expressed these views while addressing the inaugural function of a three-day workshop on the topic of gender equality and social welfare of women held under the aegis of Pakistan Press Foundation in Lahore.
She said that the journalists should not bow before any pressure but should highlight the real facts. She said, "if the media will be independent and impartial, it will strengthen democracy and resolve the social problems." Moreover, Begum Zakia said at another function that the sense of deprivation of special children can be removed and their hidden abilities can be explored by providing them environment like other children.
She said that on the direction of Chief Minister Punjab, Special Education Department has evolved a policy for inclusive schooling of special children, collecting their data, launching public awareness campaign, conducting screening of special children and increasing the scholarship under PEEF for bringing the special children into national mainstream.
Begum Zakia said that besides free education and transport, a scholarship of Rs 500 per month be given to those children having attendance of 66 percent. She disclosed that the expert teachers of Special Education Department will impart training to the heads of 230 institutions regarding special children. She said that Special Education Department will also provide assistance to the private institutions working for the welfare of the special children.