International Women's Day today

With the theme of Press for Progress, the International Women's Day is being marked here today with a resolve to continue efforts for economic empowerment of women by giving them equal opportunities in all walks of life. The day is marked every year on March 8, to celebrate "womanhood;" commemorating the inspiring role of a woman in our life. No society can achieve the pinnacles of success and glory without first giving rights to the womenfolk. Similarly, practical role of the women cannot be ignored in socio-economic development and the dream of prosperity can be materialized through women empowerment.
This day encourages the women to move further with confidence for playing a proactive role in national development. To mark the day, different organisations have planned activities like walks, seminars and other gatherings to spread awareness of women's rights in society. Sadly, the women in Pakistan are still being denied their rights ie, economic, social, civil and political and a long journey is to be made to overcome it, human rights activists said.
In a society that is strictly tied to its cultural and traditional roots, women are treated more as a commodity than a human being. There have been countless unpleasant incidents of torture inflicted on women daily, they added. According to them, economic empowerment is linked with women say in political and social spheres of life. Women should not be treated 'equal' on the basis of headcount but should be respected on the basis of equity.
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in his message said that respect to womenfolk and protection of their rights is important part of Islamic injunctions adding that rights and societal respect enjoyed by the women in Islam is unprecedented.
According to him, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has taken historic steps for ensuring protection of women along with giving them due respect and honor in the society. Punjab government has adopted an effective strategy to bring the women in the national mainstream. Along with it, effective implementation of the devised policy has been ensured for protecting rights of the women. In fact, various important steps have been taken to empower the women through different measures along with protection of women's rights at the grassroots so that they could fully play their role in the society.
Shahbaz said the government has made effective legislation to eradicate violence against women and a state-of-the-art centre has been established in historic city of Multan for providing prompt legal assistance to women in need. He further said that women have been given 33-percent representation in Boards of Directors and other committees of the public sector bodies and women quota has also been increased from five percent to 15-percent in government jobs.
Additionally, presence of a female member has been made compulsory in recruitment committees of public sector departments. He said that interest-free loans are being given to needy women for their economic empowerment as provision of resources for women empowerment is a beneficial investment for the establishment of an enlightened society.