Society may ensure to make women feel safe while participating in labour force and working: Ayesha Farooqui

LAHORE, Sep 26 (SABAH): Chairperson of Pakistan Businesses Forum (Women Wing), Ayesha Farooqui on Monday highlighted the importance of developing a legal framework and creating enabling environment to encourage women strengthen their participation in labour force.

Speaking at the Seminar on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals, she said no country could move forward unless women contribute in economic development.

“We have to come up with right kind of legislation so that these kinds of discriminations are done away with or declared illegal and cannot be practiced,” she remarked.

Ayesha Farooqui said, setting the legal framework was just one step on the ladder, adding that creating the environment which will motivate women to come and participate in the labour force is the second important step.

“You have to make them feel safe while participating in the labour force and working,” she added.

She said, women participation can enhance country’s income by 25% adding the women in leadership can play a pivotal role in country’s development and prosperity.

PBF official even stated although at this point of time Pakistan might not be very high up in the gender development index or the gender equality index internationally. However, the trend of women participation in labour was on the up and Pakistani women had been coming into territories which traditionally were men-dominated.

She also condemned the harassment on Federal Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb at London. These people are victims of shallow thinking. Feel so sorry at the state of political polarisation at its peak. 

She viewed by her calm & honorable conduct exposed the ugly face of the harassers. Chairperson PBF demanded this matter be taken up infront of home department of UK under protest.