ISLAMABAD: Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Chief Minister of Punjab, urged the global Muslim community to collaborate in creating equal opportunities for women and girls, emphasizing the importance of access to education, dignity, and security for mothers and daughters alike.
Speaking at the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Women, she highlighted the critical role of women’s empowerment in driving sustainable development and social progress.
Maryam Nawaz stressed that women should not only benefit from development initiatives but also actively contribute to shaping their societies. She called on governments to ensure that policies effectively reach women and address their specific needs.
She elaborated on Punjab’s efforts to promote gender equality, noting significant strides in education, employment, entrepreneurship, healthcare, digital literacy, and safety measures.
She mentioned that women constitute sixty percent of recipients of scholarship programs and laptop distribution schemes, allowing thousands of young women to pursue higher education and engage in the digital economy.
The Chief Minister outlined several initiatives—including ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’, interest-free business loans, digital and freelancing training, livestock asset transfers, and online commerce platforms—that are empowering women financially and enhancing their livelihoods.
Furthermore, she highlighted expanded healthcare services for women, such as mobile clinics, field hospitals, and maternal health programs, with over sixty thousand female health workers delivering primary healthcare at the grassroots level.
Maryam Nawaz also emphasized safety measures for women, including the expansion of Safe City projects, Women Protection Centers, virtual police stations, mobile police units, safety apps, and dedicated emergency zones.
She reaffirmed that women’s empowerment is deeply rooted in Islamic principles, which emphasize dignity, respect, and rights for women. She extended an invitation to conference delegates to visit Punjab and experience Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and hospitality firsthand.
