Islamabad, March 14, 2022 (PPI-OT):Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Sunday said that the government is trying its best to empower women which is necessary for the rapid growth of Pakistan. He said that government is serious about providing equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities to all genders and supporting business activities to revive the economy.

The government has taken several significant measures that promote social inclusion gender equality and women empowerment, he said, while speaking at an expo at Islamabad organised by Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) and partner organisations.

The interior minister said that every person should have equal access to health, education, water, sanitation and growth which is vital for ending hunger and poverty. Representation of women in public and private sector organizations improves performance, result in better decision making but pay gaps, limited mobility, discrimination, and lack of job security are some of the barriers.

Sheikh Rasheed said that the pandemic has increased challenges resulting in new obstacles to building inclusive and prosperous societies. He promised to provide space for Baloch businesswomen in the Capital city and said that he wants women markets in every sector of Islamabad.

The minister hailed the IWCCI for its services and said that he is witnessing since 2004 that this chamber is supporting women which is a noble cause. Speaking at the occasion, Founder President, IWCCI, Samina Fazil, President IWCCI Naima Ansari and others said that the pandemic has damaged the majority of the businesswomen.

They said that majority of women in Pakistan work in the non-formal sector where they work for long hours with low wages no benefits and no job security. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2021 Pakistan ranked 153rd out of 156 countries as per the gender parity index.

Those who visited the expo included Senator Fawzia Arshad, Senator Seemee Ezdi, Chairperson Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Association, MNA Shandana Gulzar Khan, President Bank of Punjab, President Faisalabad Women Chamber, President Peshawar Women Chamber, and other important officials.

For more information, contact:
President,
Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI)
Mobile: +92-323-5343199
Tel: +92-51-2252256