Provincial Minister for Women Development Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din has said the Punjab government has taken a number of concrete steps for women empowerment through which they are playing an important role in national development. The minister was speaking at an inauguration ceremony of a day-care centre held here at the Government College for Women, Baghanpura on Monday. Principle of College Rubina Ahmed Farooqi, DPI Colleges Zahid Mian, Director Women Development Arshad Baig, teachers and a large number of students were also present on the occasion.

Hameeda said that day-care centres are being set up across the province under a phased programme with a view to facilitating working women. For the purpose, she said over 102 day-care centres have so far been established while more such centers will be set-up during current fiscal year. She said Pakistan cannot make progress without active participation of women folk.

She claimed that jobs quota in government sector for women have been increased from 5 to 15 percent, adding that working women hostels are also being set up in various districts for the benefit of working women. "The government has ensured socio-economic development of women by taking further steps for protection of their rights under women packages," the provincial minister maintained.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018