Protection of working women must to sustain development: Mazari.

ISLAMABAD -- Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari on Saturday said government believes protection of women working in various professions is necessary for sustainable development and is committed to creating an enabling environment for female participation in the workforce.

She said this on National Working Women Day, adding that it is a symbol of recognition of the valuable contributions of female workers and leaders in various sectors in Pakistan.

The rights of women are protected by Islamic principles and enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.

She said Pakistan has ratified several International Human Rights Conventions concerning women, and is committed to meeting our obligations.

In this regard, a number of legislative and administrative measures have been taken by the federal and provincial governments to provide equal opportunities to women so that they can excel in all spheres of life.

She also highlighted that as a result of concerted efforts of the government, more than 200 women parliamentarians are playing a significant role in policymaking in Pakistan.

A significant proportion of women are also working in top positions in the public as well as private sector.

A 10 percent quota has been allocated for women in public sector jobs at the federal level. The Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace at the federal and provincial level is also working to ensure a safe environment for working women in the country.

She also said that the Benazir Income Support Programme also provides a unique forum for female empowerment by providing cash transfers to vulnerable women so that they can have more agencies in terms of decision making in their lives.

Women empowerment policies, packages, helplines, working women hostels, vocational centres, day care centres are also important initiatives to increase ratio of working women in the work...