PAKISTAN: Pak Minister Seeks Empowerment of Women

Women of Muslim countries should join hands to explore avenues for their empowerment and welfare, said Pakistan's Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Sunday.

“It's encouraging to see Saudi women engaged in economic activities and decision making, while observing the Islamic tenets and values,” she said while addressing a meeting at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).

Emphasizing the role of civil society for women's empowerment, the minister said that nongovernmental organizations and civil society played a key role both in creating awareness and solving socio-economic problems. “Private-public partnership is a must for expediting social welfare and developmental activities,” she said and emphasized the importance of pro-women legislation for promotion of women's cause and empowerment.

She underlined the need for joint efforts for women's empowerment, especially from the Organization of the Islamic Conference's member countries. She also stressed the need for more interaction and exchanges of delegations between the women's chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries. She said holding trade exhibitions and forming a joint women's commission would promote socio-economic ties between the two countries.

Earlier, Fatin Bundugji, member of JCCI, briefed the minister and her delegation about the efforts being made for creating awareness of women's empowerment in the Kingdom. She said that women in the Kingdom were confronting challenges, “which we are trying to overcome.”

Saudi women are playing an active role in all walks of life, yet they have to go a long way to achieve the objectives. She expressed her optimism about their success.

Awan extended an invitation to Bundugji and other women members of the JCCI to visit Pakistan.