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‘Govt determined to protect, safeguard rights of women’
APP
ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday said the government was committed to protect and safeguard the rights of women and firmly believed that any kind of discrimination against them was a fundamental violation of human rights.
Speaking at a function here at the Pakistan National Council of Arts on the occasion of International Women's Day, the president said the government was determined to implement, in letter and spirit, its vision of a greater and stronger Pakistan, through women empowerment.
The government had taken a number of initiatives for social, political and economic empowerment of women, he said and added that it was determined to mainstream women's issues in its policies.
He said Pakistan was earnestly implementing Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
"We have a caucus of committed women parliamentarians, who have been promoting the agenda of women development and empowerment to protect their rights," he said.
The president said the day's observance was a reaffirmation of the government's firm commitment towards women's rights and facilitating them in every possible manner to lead a productive, healthy and prosperous life.
He said the day was an occasion for taking stock on the progress made so far and to reflect on the challenges that lie ahead in the pursuit of protecting and safeguarding women's rights.
The women across the world had indeed made great efforts and sacrifices for attainment of their rights, he said and added that in their long and arduous struggle, they had achieved significant milestones.
President Mamnoon said Pakistani women were blessed with enormous capabilities. They had played an important role in the independence struggle. Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah was a role model for the modern day women, he added.
He said many Pakistani women had shown their mettle at national and international levels. He paid tribute to the brave women, who exhibited their extraordinary talent in various fields to create a society that valued respect, tolerance and human dignity.
Without their commitment, sacrifices, and struggle, it would not have been possible to protect and promote women rights, he said and added that the protection of women's rights and ensuring their rightful place in the social fabric was a subject of great importance.
"For us, the need to give greater attention towards this subject is even greater as we are follower of a religion that lays great emphasis on the rights of the women," the President said.
He said women's rights and responsibilities in various roles were clearly outlined by the religion 1400 years ago. Islam had ensured dignity and respect for women and their rights. Islam strictly condemns discriminatory treatment with women and treats them as equal partners in life, he added.
The president said the constitution in accordance with the Islamic injunctions guaranteed fundamental rights to both men and women. It provided ample guarantees to the women against all sorts of discrimination, exploitation and marginalisation and ensured their equal rights and opportunities to grow and lead a healthy and prosperous life, he added.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk