Spokesman Punjab Government, Malik Ahmed Khan has said that on the occasion of International Women Day Imran Khan should apologize from the women of KPK for failing to legislate protection of women against domestic violence. No practical measures have so far been taken in these four years for the welfare of women in KPK. Only feasibility study of database of women victimized domestic violence in KPK has been made so far, he added. Punjab government has taken practical measures of the welfare of the women besides including them national mainstream. Whereas, record increase in honor killing and domestic violence has been recorded due to not taking effective steps for the welfare of the women in KPK.
Quoting statistics, he said that in KP Mother Child health services have been provided in 46 BHUS while in Punjab this figure is 1397. KP government has started initiative of Rs 200 monthly stipend for girl students to encourage female enrollment in primary schools while Rs 1,000 stipend is being provided to over 4 lakh girl students in 16 districts of South Punjab under Khadam-e-Punjab Zaiware Taleem Program. Punjab government has distributed 870,000 poultry units and over 36,000 cattle heads among rural women in 36 districts with the aim to provide them respectable employment.
He further stated that a state of the art ‘Violence against Women Centre’ is operational in Multan since March 2017. Spokesman Punjab Government maintained that the initiatives like District Acid Burn Survivor Board for the rehabilitation of acid victims, establishment of 102 day care centers and 16 hostels for working women speaks volumes about Punjab government’s sincerity to bring women in to the mainstream of society.
Malik Ahmed Khan said that Government has introduced series of Punjab Women Empowerment Packages (2012-2017). Under these packages various initiatives have been taken. Spokesman Punjab Government concluded that the Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps under the visionary leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The steps include 15 pc quota for women in jobs, legislation for protecting women against harassment at workplace, appointment of women ombudsperson, provision of bikes to women under ‘Women on Wheels’ initiative, establishment of family courts, training of over 39,000 Nikah khuas and amendment in Inheritance Laws to protect the rights of female heirs.