LAHORE: Provincial Minister Finance Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha while addressing a workshop on Wednesday said that a political commitment for gender equality and a compatible legal framework are the basic conditions for the development of successful gender mainstreaming strategy.
The government of Punjab has taken several monumental steps to improve the status of women, educate girls, empower them economically, and provide redress to them in case of violence. Amendments and implementation of about 11 women related acts, Zaver e Taleem program and Apna Rozgar are the landmark projects in this regard.
The event was organized by Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries (WCCI) in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Sector Sports Program.
TEVTA Chairman Irfan Qaiser Sheikh, LCCI Former President Mian Anjum Nisar, Punjab Commission Representative for Women Yasmin Zaidi, WCCI Founder President Dr Shehla and WCCI President Falahat Imran were also present there.
Provincial Minister said that gender mainstreaming has been embraced internationally as a strategy towards realizing gender equality. It involves the integration of a gender perspective into the preparation, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, regulatory measures, spending programs to promote equality between women and men, and combating discrimination.
She further said that government of the Punjab is providing the same educational skills training and business opportunities to men and women by providing them protection in their workplace.
Speaking at the event TEVTA Chairman said that training under latest trades is enabling women to have access to better learning and employment opportunity.
Dr Shela said: “Gender inequality and uneven economic opportunities for women in TVET sector are some of the challenges that our country is currently facing through. Improved participation in decision making and increased access to the training and learning opportunities may help in mitigating these challenges. Availability of relevant skills and trades through skill building and competencies and employment prospects may instil a trend of better economic growth for women.”
