ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Farzana Raja said that the present democratic government has taken concrete and practical steps to advance the cause of women empowerment in the country.
The passage of ‘Anti-Women Practices Bill 2011’ is another example of pro-poor agenda of the government. Thus, it is being expected that the womenfolk would now play more vibrant and effective role in the progress and development of the country.
She said this while explaining various initiatives of BISP to Fiza Batool Gilani, Goodwill Ambassador for Women Empowerment, at BISP Secretariat on Tuesday. Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shehnaz Wazir Ali, BISP Secretary Sher Khan and other officials were also present on the occasion.
While speaking on the occasion, Fiza Batool declared the women empowerment in the country imperative and need of the hour. She said the role of BISP in this regard is highly appreciable and it would have far-reaching impact on the overall economic and social development of the country. She expressed her good wishes and support for further progress and success of the programme.
Farzana said that BISP is the major programme in the country which is striving for the economic and social empowerment of the women. She said that more than 15 million women across Pakistan have obtained their National Identity Card because of the various pro-poor initiatives of BISP, thus achieving their identification as citizens of Pakistan. She said that in a short span of three years, BISP has achieved remarkable success due to continuous support and guidance of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
BISP Chairperson said that BISP, in the social sector, has reached out to almost 7 million poor families belonging to downtrodden segments of society. “After successful launch of its various projects, including Waseela-e-Haq, Waseela-e-Rozgaar and Waseela-e-Sahat,” she said, “BISP is now all set to enrol more than one million children of beneficiary families in schools by April next year under its Waseela-e-Taleem programme.”
Farzana Raja said that the measures of BISP have contributed in the women empowerment in FATA as well where door-to-door poverty survey has been completed in Bajaur and Kurram agencies while it is under process in other tribal areas. She said that a 20 percent reduction in the poverty can be expected in the next 5 to 10 years as a result of the relentless efforts of BISP.
Source: Daily Times
