Begum Samina Alvi, the wife of President Dr Arif Alvi, Monday said that the financial empowerment of women were inevitable not only to make them contribute to the national economic development, but also support their own families.
Addressing the launching ceremony of a book titled “101 Incredible Women CEOs of Pakistan”, she said that the financial empowerment of the women would also help address their sense of deprivation besides enabling them to play their role for the country’s progress. She said what to talk of leaving their homes, even it was considered an offence for the women to talk to anyone in the dark ages as they used to face immense discrimination. However, she said that the women in current age were aware of their rights as well as the responsibilities besides being rich with huge capabilities.
Mentioning the historic role played by the women in the Pakistan Movement, Begum Samina Alvi said Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had linked the national development with the women playing their role alongside the men. She said besides fulfilling their responsibilities, the women were also standing shoulder to shoulder with men in the fields of education, health and sports to contribute to the country’s prosperity. She advised the women to get education besides following the national values as they were also a primary learning source for a child. The women consist of 50 percent of the country’s population and have been playing a responsible role for the country’s development, she added.
Samina Alvi also urged the successful women to guide those from backward areas regarding their rights particularly the physically challenged ones. She also called for efforts for deliverance of the women suffering from exploitation in the name of social traditions.
She told the gathering that a lot of measures had been taken by the government for women’s empowerment including legislation and awareness on their property rights and providing easy loans. She also stressed the need for creating awareness among the women regarding facilities available for their empowerment as well as remedies available for protection of their rights.
