Minister of State and BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon called on President Mamnoon Hussain at the presidency. The president congratulated Marvi on winning the British House of Commons Speaker’s Democracy Award.
Marvi has been conferred with Speaker’s Democracy Award by the Speaker of the House Of Commons RT Hon John Bercow MP.
The award is an internationally focused award which aims to celebrate individuals for an outstanding contribution to the development of democratic societies.
The award seeks to recognise individuals who have contributed to the development of democracy in the broadest sense and encompasses any aspect of country’s democratic settlement including human rights, free speech, rule of law, transparency and anti-corruption campaigning.
The president stated that empowering more than 5.4 million beneficiaries by giving them access to unconditional quarterly support stipend is a sacred responsibility which is being best fulfilled by Chairperson BISP and her team.
On the occasion, the chairperson stated that BISP is contributing towards maintaining the humanity of the beneficiaries by upholding their rights to life, health, education, equality, work and others.
She added that this award is an honour for Pakistan and thanked the president, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the finance minister for their firm support for BISP without which this award could not have been won.
BISP resulted in a 7pc drop in poverty, 3pc decline in poverty gap and has registered a positive and significant impact on primary school enrollment. Millions of women got identity cards due to BISP, leading them to exercise their political and voting rights. BISP treats women as the head of their families that has led to an increased role in family decision making. BISP made women empowered and financially inclusive as 76pc women retain control over BISP stipend.
