Government focus on economic empowerment of women: Firdous

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that the government was striving hard to accomplish Shaheed Benazir Bhutto's mission aimed at bringing women folk into mainstream, so they could play their due role in national development.
Addressing a big meeting of women at village Bahadurpur near Head Marala on Saturday, she said the government had focused special attention on economic empowerment of women, as it had become more imperative at this juncture for bringing radical changes in economic sector of the country. She said that government had already initiated many programmes to impart vocational training to women enabling them to earn their livelihood in a respectable way. The dream of national development could not be materialised without the involvement of women folk in the development process of the country, she added.
Firdous said that it was Shaheed Benazir Bhutto who struggled for women's rights and laid down her life for the national cause. Dr Firdous Awan further said that Pakistani women have the capability and courage to bring revolutionary changes in the society. Women want to make Pakistan strong and prosperous country and it is high time that women should come forward and play their instrumental role for bringing radical changes in every sphere of life, she added.
She said that President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani were making strenuous efforts for resolving the problems and difficulties being confronted by the masses. The Federal Minister said that with support of the masses Pakistan would be converted into modern and democratic country of the world.
She said that government was making all out efforts for strengthening the democratic institutions and for the promotion of democracy at the gross root levels in the country. Dr Firdous said that PPP leadership and its worker have rendered grate services for the revival of democracy and will continue struggle for the promotion of democracy.
The minister further stated government will fulfil its responsibilities for resolving problems of affected persons of the village adding that due to financial constrains government could not share in construction of damaged house, however some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have assured to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of houses in the area. On this occasion Federal Minister for Information distributed cheques amounting Rs 66 lakh, sewing machines and ration among the affected families of the village.