Stipend for education: Rs 6.5 billion disbursed among over 1,30,000 women: Dr Ayesa

Provincial Minister for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said on Thursday that the Punjab government has given educational stipends worth over Rs 6.5 billion to around 130,028 deserving women in the province. The minister revealed this while addressing a ceremony which was organised by the Women Development Department to mark the International Women's Day 2018 at Aiwan-e-Iqbal on Thursday.
A large number of people including women ministers, members of National and provincial Assemblies, representatives of Health and Education departments, police, NGOs, girl guides and the media attended the ceremony. "Around 450,000 girl students are being given monthly stipends for education in different less-developed areas under the Zawer-e-Taleem Programme," the minister said.
Similarly, she said 90 new girl colleges have been established by the Punjab government from 2012 till date and free transport facility has also been provided to the students, particularly in girls' colleges. "The Punjab government had arranged 326 ambulances for meeting the needs of expecting women across the province," she added.
According to the minister, almost 836,200 deserving women have been given interest-free loans under the chief minister's self-employment scheme programme. She said it is important to note that more than 65 amendments have been introduced in different laws and regulations to provide prompt legal protection to the women in the society. "We are striving to establish separate information desks for women in police stations in 36 districts of the province," Dr Pasha said, adding that Violence Against Women Centres (WAWCs) are also being established to give a strong legal support for the needy women.
She said the Punjab government has performed well for the empowerment of women by ensuring their equitable access to health, education and other sectors. She said steps taken by the Punjab government from 2012 for the protection and welfare of the womenfolk have no similitude in the 70 years history of the country. The women of Punjab have the confidence and courage to compete with any other women in the world.
Besides, a most conducive atmosphere has been arranged for women in every field so that she could play her role with full confidence and courage. However, there is a need to further sensitize the women community about their rights so that they could confidently counter any unjust move in the society.
Provincial Environment Minister Begum Zakia Shahnawaz paid tributes to all the women who played their role in different sectors of life. She claimed that implementation of laws has also been ensured by the Punjab government. While paying rich tributes to the democratic character of Fatima Jinnah, she said Fatima Jinnah raised her voice for the protection of democracy in the country.
Provincial Minister for Women Development Begum Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din highlighted the achievements in the Women Development Department. She said the Punjab women development policy will prove as an important milestone for women development in the province and hoped that they will get all the rights. A UN Coordinator Nail Buhne commended the strong role of Pakistani women and congratulated the Punjab chief minister for passing anti-harassment law which is aimed at protecting the rights of women community. A documentary was also shown to highlight the strong role of women in different sectors of life. National songs were also sung on the occasion.