SIALKOT: Federal Minister for Women Development, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Crisis Centres would be revamped across the country.

These crisis centres would be converted into development centres where women will be imparted vocational and skilled training, enabling them to earn livelihood in a respectable way.

Addressing a consultative meeting at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Centre for women, here on Monday, she said that rights and status of women have been identified in Islam for ensuring their right to education, business and employment. The ministry has been engaged in formulating “Women Policy” with active consultation of stakeholders, which will reflect the vision of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, she added.

She further said that a strategy is being evolved for promoting women entrepreneurship in the country and Sialkot would be made role model district of women entrepreneurship. She stressed upon trade bodies to encourage women entrepreneurship in this export-oriented and hub of cottage industry of the country. At this critical juncture, involvement of women folk industrial sector has become more imperative to cope with the economic warfare, she observed.

The minister said that a MoU would be signed with Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) for promoting women entrepreneurship in this export-oriented city and hub of cottage industry. Ministry of Women Development is working actively in formulating a work plan to make women economically empowered in the year 2011. Chairperson Deeba Mirza (MPA) and Manager Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Centre for Women Ms Sadaf Nawaz Khan, Dr Naseem Shakeel, Abdul Shakoor Mirza also spoke on the occasion.

Source: Business Recorder

Date:1/4/2011