Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Muhammad Ali Shah stated that women’s social development is closely tied to their economic empowerment. He emphasized that women with greater financial independence tend to be socially stronger.
He made these remarks during the opening session of the two-day international conference on “Women, Peace & Security: Issues, Challenges & Way Forward,” organized by the Punjab University Department of Gender Studies at Al-Razi Hall on Thursday.
Prof. Shah underscored the importance of education for women and their essential role in the country’s economic cycle. He noted that the challenges faced by rural and urban women differ and should be addressed separately.
He pointed out that rural-to-urban migration has become a significant societal issue, leading to a workforce shortage in rural areas. He stressed that women need to recognize their rights and highlighted the necessity for a change in societal attitudes to promote women’s development.
Reflecting on the global context, he remarked that women face challenges worldwide. He noted that while no woman has yet become president in the United States, Pakistan has had Benazir Bhutto as prime minister, and now Maryam Nawaz has assumed the role of Punjab chief minister, demonstrating that women are equally capable.
Dr. Nasir Mahmood, Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University, expressed concern that women still lack genuine representation in Pakistan. He acknowledged that although various reforms have been introduced to support women, many challenges remain.
He emphasized that while comprehensive laws exist for women’s welfare in Pakistan, the real issue lies in their implementation.
Sumaira Samad, secretary of the Women Development Department, stated that the government has initiated several programs to assist women and improve their living standards. She assured that the government is committed to ensuring women’s welfare with the support of various stakeholders and called for increased research on women’s issues and solutions in universities.
