KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Tourism Shazia Marri said that women play a pivotal role in a country’s development.She said this while talking to media men here on Thursday on the day commemorating the elimination of violence against women.Shazia Marri said that Nov 25 is the day to mark the elimination of all forms of violence against women. She was of the view that it is our responsibility as civilised individuals to help those who are facing violence of any kind.Shazia was of the view that the most important role that any woman plays is the one at home but unfortunately she is never paid for it. There is also no appreciation of the hard work she puts in.The minister said that this day also marks the significant role of women as family labour. We condemn all forms of domestic violence against women, she said.
Shazia said that Pakistan was a signatory to Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto envisioned the fulfillment of this commitment, which is being implemented today.She further stated that right from the vision of our founding fathers to the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees equal participation of women in all national spheres, there is nothing that can stop our women from achieving their desired goals.Pakistani women are courageous and they have proved their mettle in all fields and all professions, she added.However, Shazia said that there still is a mindset that works against the empowerment of women.She said that the women are abused and victimized in an attempt to undermine their potential.
Shazia said that the present democratic government was cognizant of such anti-women mindset and continues to fight against it. She said that Islam is a religion of tolerance.She said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) firmly believes in women empowerment and is religiously working in light of the vision given by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.She expressed her pleasure over the release of Myanmar leader Aung San Suy Ki and highly appreciated her struggle for democracy in her country.She said that the real strength of Pakistan lies in the development of women.Shazia said that the Quaid’s message stands true today and it is from this that we must derive inspiration.We must all unite against those who undermine our strength and together build a society with zero tolerance for any form of violence against women, she further said – Dailytimes
