These views were expressed in a special function held connection with International Women Day held at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The programme was jointly organized by Women Resource Centre of SCCI and Baidarie for launching Women Resource Centre-outreach programme for rural female entrepreneurs on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion Chairperson Women Resource Centre Dr. Mariam Nouman said that undoubtedly, women entrepreneurship is a key factor in economic development and there was a great need of formulating stimulus polices to empower women folk to involve them in business activities. The mission of WRC is to enhance entrepreneurial skills among women entrepreneurs of Sialkot by providing them easy access to resources for initiating and growing their business.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Khurram A. Khawaja President Khud Kifalat Rozgar Trust said that Rozgar Project was initiated by Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) through philanthropic business community of the area. He said that Sialkot is the hub of largest cluster of export oriented cottage industry in Pakistan that is contributing handsome foreign exchange to national economy despite certain odds. In recent past women are coming up as emerging economic force in main industrial hubs of the country including Sialkot. He said stated that SCCI was making strenuous efforts for bridging the gap between urban and rural populations with the concept of opening channel of communication and involves them in small business programmes. The concept of starting Khud Kifalat Rozgar programme was started to contributing towards poverty alleviation and reduction of unemployment from the society.
Prof. Arshid Mehmood Mirza Executive Director said that the interventions of the project have been designed target to strengthen women workers by providing appropriate knowledge and skills, as well as organizing them for identifying and tapping into economic growth opportunities.
Arshid Mehmood Mirza said that the dictates of Islam especially the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and his companions have set magnificent examples of treating women with respect and honor and allowing them to progress in every walk of life. Mirza said that according to the Global Gender Gap Index of the World Economic Forum Pakistan Ranks 143 among 144 Countries of the countries assessed different performance assessment parameters. Similarly according to a report released by United National Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan ranks 121st out of 155 countries in terms of its Gender Inequality Index. The year 2017 witnessed a significant increase if in acts of violence against women while rape cases increased by 17 percent in the province of Punjab, according to the report issued by Punjab Commission on the status of women.
It is highly regrettable that according to the Election Commission of Pakistan almost 10.2 Million women do not have CNICs in the country consequently they stand disenfranchised.