There is an urgent need to create awareness among women regarding the importance of education to counter social injustices, said Sindh Minister for Women Development Tauqeer Fatima on Thursday at the 6th International Conference on Women Leadership 2010 and Women Excellence Award.
She said the women have done a lot to get their due rights in the male-dominated society, but needs to do more in order to stand tall. Furthermore she said the women have achieved well in the fields of politics, science, academics and economics but would have to update themselves by acquiring latest information and education to face the challenges of the modern world.
Fatima said, it is the need of the hour to organise awareness programmes regarding latest standards in education, and inculcate the teachings of Holy Qura'an to improve the overall way of life. Speaking on the occasion, the President First Women Bank (FWB) Shafquat Sultana said the women should gear up for the challenges ahead.
She emphasised that woman; particularly girls should develop interests in the field of banking, as still there is a lot of room for them in this profession. She also said that due to FWB's policies, lots of poor women have availed the opportunities from the bank and are now running their own businesses for a better living.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Public Affairs US Consulate Karachi Elizabeth O.Colton also laid emphasis on the importance of acquiring modern education. Citing examples of some women of the past, she said the women of yesteryears also struggled to bring about a positive change, and today's women would have to do the same. She also said that in the western world, and also in Pakistan, women are struggling to fight discriminations against them. Throwing light on the subject, Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh Sharmeela Farooqui said that good education is a must for every woman.
She expressed her concerns on the reluctance of women in raising their voices against discriminations, and held their lack of education a factor for their unwillingness to raise voices against injustices in the society. She asserted that women have proved that they are in no way inferior to men in politics or in trade. Minister for Women Development Balochistan Ghazla Gola Begum sharing her views on the political empowerment for women, lauded late Benaziz Bhutto's efforts in the development works for women.
A popular TV anchor on current affairs Nasim Zehra said the media must play a positive role in women development and welfare works. Member National Assembly Sherry Rehman also said, political empowerment for women is necessary for their social development.
Governor Gilgi-Baltistan Dr Shama Khalid agreed with the participants' views on the importance of education for women's development. Later on awards were given to Sherry Rehman, Sharmmila Farouqi, Ghazala Gola Begum and Shahnaz Wazir Ali for their services rendered to the society. The event was organised by Excellent Events and Entertainment (Pvt) Ltd and sponsored by Pakistan State Oil (PSO), National Bank of Pakistan and the First Women Bank Limited.