Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday said her commitment made on International Women’s Day to establish daycare centres for working women was being translated into reality across the province under a special initiative launched by the Women Development Department.
Daycare facilities expanding across Punjab to support working women: CM
LAHORE, Jun 07 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday said her commitment made on International Women’s Day to establish daycare centres for working women was being translated into reality across the province under a special initiative launched by the Women Development Department.
She said a total of 650 daycare centres were planned in hospitals, educational institutions and government offices throughout Punjab, for which Rs1 billion had been allocated. The initiative is aimed at facilitating working women by providing safe and supportive childcare facilities at their workplaces.
According to Women Development Department Secretary Saman Rai, the first phase of the project envisages the establishment of 390 daycare centres. Of these, 350 are fully functional, while work on the remaining 40 centres is nearing completion.
The CM has directed that all 650 daycare centres be established by the next financial year. Each facility will be equipped with educational material, toys and LCD screens to support children’s learning and recreation. Trained caregivers will be appointed for childcare services, with their salaries initially being paid by the Women Development Department.
Under the programme, daycare centres have already been established in all Daanish Schools to facilitate women teachers and staff members. Priority has also been given to setting up centres in girls’ colleges, hospitals and institutions located in South Punjab and other remote districts. An online monitoring system has also been introduced to oversee the performance and functioning of daycare centres across the province.
In Lahore, 70 of the planned 86 daycare centres for government offices, educational institutions and hospitals have already become operational. On the chief minister’s directions, daycare centres have also been established at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Punjab Bar Council.
Similarly, 20 daycare centres have been established in government institutions in Faisalabad. Other operational facilities include 21 centres in Bhakkar, 18 each in Sheikhupura and Layyah, 17 each in Khanewal and Bahawalpur, 16 in Multan, 15 in Okara, 14 in Nankana Sahib, 12 each in Sialkot, Vehari and Gujranwala, and seven each in Rawalpindi and Sargodha.
CM Maryam Nawaz said the welfare, protection and empowerment of working women remained among her government’s foremost priorities, adding that daycare centres were being established across Punjab to provide better support and a conducive working environment for women professionals.
