President for women empowerment through education | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

President for women empowerment through education

LONDON: President Asif Ali Zardari in his message on the occasion of Commonwealth Countries League International Fair has urged that women throughout the world must be provided education so that they become well-equipped to face the challenges that lie ahead and participate in the development of their societies.

Underscoring the dedication of Benazir Bhutto and her contribution to the empowerment of women, President Zardari in his message said that “Pakistan’s twice-elected and Muslim World’s first women prime minister Benazir Bhutto devoted her life to the cause of improving the lot of women in a society where extremists have often used religion to dis-empower and subjugate women.

“She courageously led from the front the fight for women emancipation and empowerment. Inspired by her example and leadership the present government has launched in her name a programme for uplifting women called the Benazir Income Support Programme.” Heir to the British throne, Prince Charles of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron also extended their support and highlighted the significance of girls education in their messages on the occasion.

Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan inaugurated the event at the Kensington Town Hall.

This year Mrs. Zarina Wajid Hasan was the chairperson of the Fair in which 54 Commonwealth countries participated and the proceeds utilised to support the education of deserving girls in the member countries. In Pakistan currently 7 girls are being sponsored by (CCLEF) Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund. As one of the most poplar cultural event in London, the Commonwealth countries set up stalls of handicrafts and famous products this year. Pakistan was represented by three stalls set up each by ladies of Pakistan High Commission, by All Pakistan Women Association (APWA) and another one by MQ Jewellers. The High Commissioner while addressing the inauguration ceremony of said that women being half the population of the world deserve special attention in the areas of social development and education remains the top most priority as it is through the education that women could be empowered in real sense.

He called for allocating more national and international resources for the education of girls particularly in developing countries where women lag behind due to cultural, social and economic constraints. Mrs. Zarina Wajid Hasan in her capacity as Chairperson of the Fair 2010 thanked the members of the organising committee and participating countries for the outstanding record of effective investment in the education of the disadvantaged girls in the Commonwealth countries as so far 600 girls have benefited from the scheme.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:11/15/2010