LAHORE – The Federal Minister for Women Development Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that the plan to establish a sizeable and well-equipped display center, exclusively for women entrepreneurs in Lahore, has been finalised. This centre is aimed at strengthening the role of women in the economic development of the country.
The Federal Minister was speaking at a seminar, jointly organised by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce (LCCI) and Ministry of Women Development, here on Monday.
She said that the display centre, focused at specific areas, would enable women entrepreneurs showcase their products to local as well as foreign buyers in an attractive manner. She claimed that the present government was trying its best to help women entrepreneurs; however certain elements did not favour women empowerment.
The minister urged women to learn more about modern business methodologies and techniques, as ample opportunities existed in the global market. “Women can not only earn the much-needed foreign exchange for Pakistan, but they can also help in building the country’s image as a vibrant and liberal society, having equal opportunities for all,” she underlined.
Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Shahzad Ali Malik called for social, economical, political and legal empowerment of women in order to bring a positive change in the society. He said that formation of a separate ministry for women clearly indicated that women were now being recognised as a force, possessing immense potential to help Pakistan get rid of the current economic crises.
He hailed efforts to protect women rights and adoption of new laws, including the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2009 and Protection against Harassment at Workplace Bill 2009. The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act is under consideration, he pointed out. He hoped that such efforts would improve the prevalent situation.
He stated that Pakistani women were facing difficulties in uplifting their social and economic status. He cited lack of awareness, limited access to information, insufficient finance, improper training and inadequate networking opportunities among business individuals as primary problems hampering women empowerment. The LCCI President urged the State Bank of Pakistan to provide collateral free loaning facility to women entrepreneurs so that their potential could be fully realised.
