10 percent job quota for women in govt departments urged
ISLAMABAD: Speakers in a seminar on Monday urged the government to enforce 10 percent job quota for women in its ministries and departments.
The seminar ‘Female Employment in Pakistan’ was organised by the Pakistan Manpower Institute. Thirty representatives of federal, provincial and Azad Kashmir government and educational institutions attended the two-day seminar.
Addressing the concluding session, Sabur Ghayur, an expert of women issues, regretted that the 10 percent quota reserved for women in government jobs was not being implemented. He emphasised the ministries and departments to offer 10 percent jobs to women. He said the government’s regional job quota might be relaxed for a certain period to absorb a greater number of women.
He said balancing hours with family was an important consideration and the government should demonstrate best practices in this regard. “Flexi hours is a rapidly increasing labour market norm. Balancing work with family is also required for re-entry of women in the labour market, “ he said. He said the government could act as a role model in providing an opportunity for re-entry of women in the labour market.
Ghayur said the advancement in gender equality could be manifested in women’s participation in the decision-making, transformations in institutions and organisational cultures and collective actions to rectify the gendered practices especially in employment and labour market. He also called for creating better educational facilities for women to bring them in mainstream.
Communications Ministry Joint Secretary Firdoos Alam said women empowerment was government’s top priority, and it was linked to their being socially, spiritually, politically and economically strong. He said the government should ensure secure and friendly working environment for women.
Other participants also called for strict observance of the 10 percent job quota for women in government departments. They said women should be provided with level-playing field so they could contribute to national development. They recommended creating public awareness on women’s rights and urged for effective role of media in this regard.
Source: Daily Times
Date:9/5/2007
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