'Efforts are on to empower women economically'

Punjab government is making sincere efforts to empower women economically and provide them a platform for meeting the socio-economic challenges. Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said this while addressing a seminar on the topic of violence against women and legislation held under the aegis of Mumkan Alliance Punjab at a hotel here on Thursday.
Zakia maintained that legislation was being made in consultation with women assembly members and civil society representatives for the implementation of women package so that its fruits could soon reach the women. She said "it is our common responsibility to take solid measures for the protection and development of the women who are 52 percent of our population and playing an important role in the development of the country."
She said "it is our individual and collective national obligation to encourage women at every level to save their talent and include them in national mainstream." Zakia said that 15 percent quota for women in government service, relaxation of three years in age and compulsory representation of women representatives in recruitment committees, were important steps. A draft law was being given a final shape for saving the women from the incidents of violence, acid throwing and harassment on their workplace, she added.
She said summaries regarding policy for home based appointment of ombudswoman and inheritance rights had been sent to the government. Later, Begum Zakia launched the website of Mumkan Alliance Punjab, which is aimed at checking the affects of the incidents of violence being committed on gender basis and providing protection to the women victim of violence and initiating campaign of awareness.