Empowering women key to a progressive society: Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR, Mar 08 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday said that empowering women was the foundation of a civilized, progressive and balanced society.

In a message issued on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Governor said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had always taken practical steps for the rights, dignity and equality of women and the party’s history in this regard was a matter of pride.

He said the leadership of PPP had played a historic role in making women powerful, capable and self-reliant.

He particularly paid tribute to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto Shaheed for encouraging Pakistani women to move forward in political, social and economic fields and for taking revolutionary steps to bring them into the national mainstream.

The Governor said the Benazir Income Support Programme, launched on the directions of President Asif Ali Zardari to ensure economic empowerment of women, had emerged as one of Pakistan’s most important social protection initiatives, providing financial assistance to millions of deserving women and helping strengthen their independence.

Faisal Karim Kundi said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was carrying forward the mission of his martyred mother by prioritizing women’s education, economic empowerment and social protection in the party’s political agenda.

He said that as Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, his vision was to ensure opportunities for women in education, skills development, employment and leadership so that they could play a full role in the development of society.

The Governor added that Governor House would always remain open to encourage and support women, and every possible cooperation would be extended to promote talented women of the province.

He said the women of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were talented, hardworking and courageous, and if provided with proper opportunities, they could achieve remarkable success in every field.

He reaffirmed the commitment to continue all possible efforts for the empowerment and welfare of women in the province.

APP/ash/