Gilgit: Seminar on challenges to working women held

Ainoon Aleem

Gilgit, December 22: AKRSP and Women Development Directorate (WDD) in collaboration with AKHSPs’ Central Asia Health Systems Strengthening (CAHSS) Project celebrated National Working Women Day on 22nd December 2015 at PTDC Hotel , Gilgit. National Working Women Day was declared on 22nd December 2010 in recognition of the struggle of working women to secure a dignified and respectful working environment. It is also celebrated to acknowledge the economic contributions made by women to the country.

Guests of the event included Minister for Works Dr Muhammad Iqbal, S P Traffic Police Tahira Yousuf, Yasmeen Karim Gender Manager AKRSP, Najma Farman Assistant Chief P&DD and PRCS Provincial Secretary Noor-ul-Ain. About 70 working women from different government and private organizations attended the event.
The guest in their speeches appreciated the importance of women in economic development and also highlighted the problems faced by working women such as transportation issue, quota in government institutions, unequal pay, unsafe environment in offices etc. They also appreciated the work of WDD and AKRSP for organizing the workshop on rights of working women. The stressed on the need to organize regular forums to debate on women’s rights and o ensure women empowerment in the region.

Kosar Bano, Gender Specialist, AKRSP, delivered a detailed presentation on Labour Law which included laws, information about sexual harassment at workplace and different working women issues along with recommendations. Students of DJ School Oshikhandaas performed a qawalli on issues of women. A speech was delivered by a Girl Guide from Zulfiqarabad which was highly appreciated by everyone in the hall.

Dr. Adil from AKHSP delivered a presentation on  mental health status of working women. AKHSP also conducted health screening of the participants.

It is here to mention that men and women are backbone of a society; without their equal contribution no society can progress. As far as the capabilities of women are concerned, they are no less than men. They are performing their part as doctors, teachers , lawyers and many other fields of life but still society is not able to provide their legitimate status and working women are facing a lot of problems in Pakistan.

Working women face challenges like unequal wages, glass-ceiling effect, sexual harassment and other work-related concerns that need to be addressed. Although there are numerous laws and bills to prevent harassment at workplace but nothing has been implemented. Women will not be able to utilize their talents properly if they do not feel safe at their workplace therefore a change in attitude is a much required thing which would ensure