Women Protection Act is a landmark in Pakistan’s history,
says, Bryn Hunt

Address to a seminar on “women role in the development of society”
organized by the women wing of MQM Punjab

LAHORE:16 January 2007

The US though is satisfied with President Musharraf’s efforts of solving women issues but Pakistani authorities still need to do a lot in this regard, said US Consulate General Lahore, Bryn D Hunt on Tuesday, while terming promulgation of Women Protection Act (WPA), as a landmark in Pakistan’s history.
 

Bryn Hunt stated this while addressing a seminar on “women role in the development of society” organized by the women wing of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Punjab.
 

He said that the practical steps taken by the government of Pakistan have led to political, social and economic empowerment of women in the country and their representation has improved in every facet of life.

“The US believes in gender equity or equality, which is critical for the formulation of a democratic society based on humanity and justice and President Musharraf is making dedicated, continuous and concerted efforts to end gender based discrimination in Pakistan,” he said.
 

Emphasizing the importance of the economic empowerment, Bryn Hunt suggested concerned authorities to adopt a holistic approach to create more economic opportunities for women using micro credit and other such facilities.

“The government of Pakistan has introduced a number of legislations to enhance the status of women in society. WPA is landmark legislation in Pakistan’s history but it need more legislations, which should be introduced to abolish discriminatory laws and social practices against women,” he said adding that President Musharraf’s government was focusing on skills development and on providing better education facilities to women.
 

Talking to the media men, Bryn Hunt said that Pakistan being a major ally of US against terrorism has sacrificed a lot while facing many hardships in combating terrorism and rooting out extremism from the country.

Earlier, the MQM’s chief organizer women wing Punjab, Dr Lala Rukh Mustafa said that MQM is working for the rights of women in the country with the help of government. MQM is planning to facilitate more and more women of underdeveloped areas by helping them and providing several opportunities to start their business, she added.
 

MQM’s Punjab Information Secretary Ansar Buttar and other MQM leaders were among hundreds of participants of the seminar.