“The
celebration of National Working Women’s Day, on December 22, acknowledges women
who engage in work of all types in our country. They have entered the workforce
in spite of adverse circumstances. Thus, while we express our pride in the
women who succeeded in opening doors for other women, we must also reflect on
the difficulties they continue to face”
________________________
Chief
Minister Punjab, Mian Shehbaz Sharif directed to celebrate the day in all
districts & District Coordination Officer (DCO) Faisalabad, Chaudhry
Mohammad Amin, organized Working Women Day celebrations in Nusrat Fateh Ali
Auditorium on 17.12.2012. On the occasion, a big get together of women from all
walks including college students, NGO representatives, lady politicians, police
women, lady lawyers & lady teachers were invited.
MNA
Mrs Khalida Mansoor was the Chief Guest while, President E-Women, Assistant
Professor Dr Humaira Arshad was the
Guest of Honor along with MPAs from Puinjab Assembly, Mrs Anjum Safdar & Dr
Ghazala Yasmeen.
The
Chief Host & Organizer, DCO Faisalabad welcomed the guests &
highlighted the objectives of the celebrations.
“The struggle for equal
pay for the same work needs to be highlighted. In many areas of central and
south Punjab, the daily wage of a woman farm worker, e.g., a cotton picker, is
exactly half that of a man who picks the same amount of cotton. In addition, private
as well as government employers have been quite miser in giving women their
rightful benefits under the law for maternity leave, sick leave and promotions”
Speaking
on the occasion, Dr Humaira Arshad added,
“The list of pressing
issues faced by working women will never be reduced until our political parties
recognise that women’s issues are not just petty complaints. The constraints
faced by one-half of the electorate affect the progress of the entire nation.
Simply because they have been ignored over the decades does not mean that they
are not vital to our nation’s economic health. After seeing the broad
appreciation shown for some gains made during these past five years, no party
can afford to ignore women’s issues any longer. The debates during the coming
electoral campaign will need to be real and the proposals will need to be
concrete”
Chief
Guest Mrs Khalida Mansoor appreciated DCO Faisalabad for organizing the
occasion & appreciated Dr Humaira Arshad on the efforts of Emed &
E-Women for serving people in health & women rights. She added,
“Among the positive steps
already taken, the laws against sexual harassment stand out. This legislative
package not only addressed the issues in the organised workplaces, but also
stamped the legitimacy of women to enter all work and public spaces. Despite
years of militancy and chauvinism aimed at pushing women behind the four walls
of their homes, they have continued to assert their right to be economically
active citizens. Although still in process, the implementation of these laws
has shown concrete results”
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