Govt to take forward policy of empowering women: Gilani
ISLAMABAD, March 8 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Monday that the present government was the custodian of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s legacy who always endeavoured to empower the women.In a message on the occasion of International Women’s Day, he said according to the vision of Shaheed leader, the government had ensured equality in all walks of life to enable women to play their due role in socio-economic development of the country.The Prime Minister said,” the day provides with an opportunity to take stock of the progress made and to reflect on the challenges in the pursuit of gender equity and women emancipation”. 
The International Women’s Day Centenary makes the women of past proud, the women of the present inspired and the women of the future envisioned, he added.
The Prime Minister said,” the women have made great strides in all walks of life, yet there is still a great deal to be achieved on many fronts.
“The 2011 International Women’s Day Centenary affords a unique and global opportunity to reassess our national strategies to inspire our women to channelize their energies in their struggle for equal rights.”
Women comprise almost 50% of the total population of Pakistan.  Like other countries in the world, Pakistan is committed to provide equal rights and equal opportunities to women at par with men, he added.
He said, “I remember a quote of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah wherein the great Quaid said that I have always maintained that no nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with the men. No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men. There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that is of women.”
Theme for 2011 is “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: pathway to decent work for women which demands of making every possible effort to further empower women of Pakistan,” he observed.
Gilani said,”every year, the government of Pakistan also celebrates the day with great zeal and enthusiasm. A number of events have been planned and executed to mark the 100th year of this global event.
“Today Pakistan has the presence of a number of women in both Houses of Parliament and provincial legislatures. In accordance with the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the government has introduced a number of pro-women reforms in the political, administrative, legislative and economic domains for women empowerment”, he said adding the increase of women quota up to 10% for recruitment in the public sector is a giant step forward.
In addition to this, Gilani said the enactment of Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill would encourage womenfolk to avail job opportunities in the public and private sectors in large numbers by giving them secure environment.
These and other measures such as Benazir Income Support Program would further enhance the confidence of women and integrate their role in national development with zero gender discrimination.
The appointment of the Women Ombudsperson is yet another acknowledgement of their role, he noted.
He said, “with positive attitudes and right policies, we would be able to ensure intra-sectoral allocation of resources in accordance with the needs and priorities of women.”
“To mark the efforts of women in Pakistan, I am pleased to declare 2011 as the year for women empowerment,” he added.