Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has paid tribute to the women journalists working at different positions in the media industry and said that their struggle will help build an informed society.
She said this while addressing a ceremony organised in connection with ‘International Women’s Day’ under the aegis of the Punjab Union of Journalists at Lahore Press Club on Tuesday.
The SACM emphasized that the Prime Minister is trying to overcome the menace of horse-trading adding that open support of some member or party or group is one thing whereas secret support for some monetary gains is something else which should be discouraged. She asked the media to promote public awareness about the hazards of horse-trading.
The SACM said the PM believes that price hike is the biggest challenge. “We have no threat from the ‘Pakistan dacoit movement,” she said. The ECP is responsible to overcome horse-trading as those raising slogans of giving respect to the vote have preferred dirty money over democratic norms. The narrative of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is different from one another and the government knows what is the real issue being faced by them, said the SACM.
Firdous said the role of women journalists is like Jihad with a pen as it influences the mind. It is, however, regrettable that society has often failed to provide a conducive environment to the women in their respective fields. “I would pay tributes to all such working women who not only manage their family life but also work in the society for shouldering their family resources,” she said.
The special assistant said the society should also change its approach and behaviour towards working women “as we are living in a male-dominated society where women are usually considered weak and frail. I have also faced countless challenges, difficulties and societal impassiveness for the last 20 years but I believe that brave and courageous women can make it into their destinations because they are determined and can face the challenges.”
Dr Firdous said that male and female are two parts of the same vehicle and their collective role is important for moving forward. She said the women’s development policy is being followed in true letter and spirit, adding that the women empowerment policy will be devolved at the grassroots to form a women conducive society.
The special assistant said the Punjab government has set up 146 daycare centres for working women and the establishment of 221 new daycare centres has also been approved. She said that recommendations have been forwarded to the concerned departments for amendments in different sections of 15 provincial and federal government laws.
The SACM stressed that the mother lap is the first learning for the child and if children are not properly educated, society will face the consequences. She said the spate of corruption is the result of a lack of mother’s training. The women should break the myth of being weak and frail in society and they should be able to protect themselves, she said.
