Govt Pursuing Integrated Policy For Women Empowerment: Kamran Michael

Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published November 04, 2016 | 04:45 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 04th Nov, 2016 ) : Federal Minister for Human Rights, Senator Kamran Michael said Pakistani government was pursuing an integrated policy for women empowerment, underpinned by legal, institutional, and administrative measures.

He stated this while speaking at the 6th Session of the Ministerial Conference on the `Role of Women in the Development of OIC Member States' held at Istanbul from November 1-3, a message received here on Friday said.

He highlighted that long-term national planning framework "Vision 2025" commits to pursue women empowerment as a key priority area across all sectors of planning and development. It focuses on providing an enabling environment to every woman to develop her full potential and to equally share benefits of economic and social development.

Minister Kamran Michael highlighted the government initiatives including establishing an autonomous Commission on Status of Women, Benazir Income Support Programme and allocation of 10% quota for women in employment.

The other initiatives like setting up of Women Development Department at provincial level and economic empowerment of women through Prime Minister's Youth Programme demonstrated a strong commitment of Pakistan to protect, promote and empower women.

He added that Pakistan was implementing Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women that had helped mainstream women's issues in national policies. The minister also had interaction with other participating heads of delegations on the sidelines.

He met Minister for Family and Social Policy of Turkey, Fatma Betul and Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Masoumeh Ebtekar and discussed matters of mutual interest. The theme of the conference was "The Status of Women in the OIC Member States in Light of the Current Challenges." President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Lady, Emine Erdogan were present at the inaugural ceremony.

The meeting discussed matters concerning women empowerment and women's role in the development of the OIC Member States.