ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a workshop on “Women Empowerment” said women’s right to control their lives, both within and outside their homes and the ability to influence the direction of social change and create a just social and economic order, nationally and internationally were important components of women empowerment.
The two-day workshop for creating awareness among women regarding legislation for the protection of their rights and ensuring equal status for them in the society concluded here on Thursday at the Pakistan Institute of Manpower (PMI).
The speakers stressed the women’s sense of self-worth, their right to choose and the right to access opportunities.
Explaining the legislation for women’s rights, they said the Article 18 of the 1973 Constitution stated, “Every citizen; subject to qualifications can enter a trade, business or profession of his/her choice.”
The participants were apprised that Article 25 provided guidelines for the equality of citizens. The article says, “All citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.
There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone and nothing in this article shall prevent the state from making any special provision for the protection of women and children.”
Article 26 says, “No person otherwise qualified can be discriminated against in the matter of employment on the basis of race, religion, caste, sex, residence or place of birth.”
Article 27 bans discrimination on the basis of sex for appointments in the services in Pakistan, provided that the job can be carried out by both sexes.
Article 32 of the Constitution says, “Special representation shall be given to women in local government institutions.” Whereas Article 34 states, “Steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national life.”
Article 37(e) makes provision for securing just and humane conditions of work, ensuring that children and women are not employed in vocations unsuited to their age or sex, and for maternity benefits.
Article 38(a) of the Constitution says, “The state is responsible for securing the well-being of the people, irrespective of their sex by raising their standard of living.”
Around 100 women took part in the workshop and showed their commitment to work for the welfare of women, besides disseminating their knowledge of laws to their peers and other employees of their organisations.
