KARACHI – Sindh government has formed a Gender Reform Committee which will deal with the problems of working women and give them an equal status in society. The proposal will be presented to the cabinet for approval on August 13.
This was stated by Minister for Social Welfare, Youth Affairs and Sports Qamar Mansoor while speaking at a seminar organised by the Pakistan Press Foundation.
Mansoor said the government has raised money allocated for youth affairs from Rs1.1 million to Rs20 million. Similarly, allocations in the sports sector has been increased from Rs15 million to Rs80 million, besides the approval of nine sports stadiums, he added.
He said the ministry has also come to an understanding with All China Youth Federation, which recently visited Pakistan. The government also has a plan to establishing a cooperative bank, which will give small loans, ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs25,000 to the youth, he said.
President, Young Women’s Christian Association, Nuzhat Williams stressed the need to establishing media-focussed youth organisations, media literate society, and creating awareness of youth affairs at all levels.
She observed that major decisions regarding women are taken by their parents, husbands or in-laws and they hardly have a say in these things even if the matter is of choosing the number of children she should have.
A journalist, Sheher Bano, said establishing youth counselling and professional training centres, run by skilled old people, will not only enhance inter-generation communication but will also make elderly people useful members of society.
Secretary, Youth and Culture, Usman Panhwar talked about major challenges being confronted by the youth in Pakistan. He highlighted major taboos, which have restricted many youth activities.
Project Manager, PAVHNA, Fauzia Matloob discussed the youth policy draft which is still under the consideration of the government.
The seminar was organised to mark the United Nations International Youth Day, which is celebrated worldwide on August 12. This year’s theme was “Youth in an Inter-generational Society”.
Source: The News
Date:8/13/2004
