There is a need for taking concerted efforts on part of civil society and strong political will to ensure implementation of women-friendly policies in the country. These views were expressed by speakers at a roundtable on "Women's Economic Empowerment and their Protection at Work" held here on Saturday.
The roundtable was arranged by Viquar Society for Socio-Economic development and Legal Aid (SSEDLA) in collaboration with the US Department of State. Addressing the participants, Parliamentary Secretary Dr Zil-e-Huma, as a chief guest, said that the present government has expressed strong commitment toward envisaging women friendly laws and policies, following the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto took a number of initiatives for the women empowerment including establishing First Women Bank, Women Police Stations and introducing the concept of Lady Health Workers. The government has planned to expand the network of crisis centres across the country to provide shelter to the women in distress, she said.
Dr Zil-e-Huma termed Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act as a major achievement of the government and civil society organisations and its implementation is now a challenge for both. She said that the Implementation Watch Committee of National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) was strictly monitoring the implementation of the anti-harassment law.