38 projects for women development completed
By Bushra Makhdoom

ISLAMABAD—In an effort to uplift women’s socio-economic status, 38 development projects have been completed at government-level during last three years.
The Women Ministry had allocated Rs 747.16 million for development projects during 2004-07, out of which Rs 377 million have been utilized for the purpose of empowering women.
The government’s various projects focusing on the women’s participation as equal partners in national development and decision-making process are contributing to the uplift of womankind, says a report published on the government’s three-year performance.
Under the National Gender Reform Plan launched with a cost of Rs 418.5 million, proposes a coherent gender reform agenda to align policies and enabling the government to implement its national and international commitments on gender equality.
For this purpose, the Ministry of Women Development has transferred gender development grants of Rs 250 million to all the 111 district governments in four provinces at the rate of Rs 2.25 million per district.
Under the projects ‘Jafaksh Aurat’ and ‘Hunermand Aurat’, 500 micro credits have been disbursed among rural women, 400 employment opportunities have been created and 3000 rural women have been trained in deferent trades.
During last three years, 3850 poor, needy, widows and destitute women across the country were given financial assistance to the tune of Rs 5.25 million.
Women’s Political School with a funding of US$4.57 million was launched in December 2004 for capacity-building of local women councilors. WPS has provided training to 2557 women councilors of different tiers last year.
The government took substantive initiative, first in South Asia, by promulgating law titled ‘The Criminal Act 2005’. The new law on honour killing makes changes in the existing criminal law to deal effectively with offenders.
Protection of Women (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2006 enacted on December 1, 2006, is providing relief and protection to women against misuse and abuse of law and to prevent their exploitation.
Twenty-five women centres have been established to provide protection and rehabilitation facilities to women victims of violence and abuse.
About 8314 women are being benefitted and provided services which falls within the purview of the functions of Women Centres like temporary shelters, free legal aid, free medical aid, social counseling and psychological counseling.