ISLAMABAD: “We must make the economy work for women so that women can contribute towards economy. Empowering women empowers the nation. Under-investment in women is the biggest loss. Women need empowerment and we are proud to be the largest empowerment programme with prime focus on women,” says Marvi Memon, chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
Speaking at an interactive session in connection with the International Women’s Day, Memon said that besides being a social safety net the BISP had a strong focus on women’s empowerment. She said the BISP strived to bring its beneficiaries in direct contact with the ruling elite, media and women role models to help them define a meaningful life for themselves. BISP beneficiaries and leading women journalists attended the interactive session at the BISP Secretariat. Meher Bokhari, Samina Waqar, Tanzeela Mazhar, Memona Arif, Vilma, Fauzia Khan, Huma Iqbal, Rafia Shabbir and others graced the occasion. Asma Sherazi and Galeeda joined in via telephone.
Memon said, “Women made immeasurable contribution to the society. Their contribution as entrepreneurs, educators, scientists, artists, soldiers and heads of state cannot be undermined. March is a month to reflect on progress already made, to call for change and acknowledge courage and determination of women who have played an extraordinary role. Fortunately, the BISP has a long list of success stories to celebrate and much more is in the making.”
The BISP chairperson acknowledged the courage with which the beneficiaries were coping with the ordeals of daily life. Despite the fact that abilities of women are undervalued, she said, women have role models of high stature. “If we start valuing women, no one can imagine the impact it will have on social, political and national canvass,” she said.
Memon said the BISP was trying its level best to empower its beneficiaries. She said the BISP intended to harness entrepreneurial potential of its beneficiaries through e-commerce. She said the BISP e-commerce initiative would provide market access to beneficiaries making them self-reliant. She said it was a positive sign that 100,000 beneficiaries of Prime Minister’s Loan Scheme had already started their own businesses.
Women journalists praised the BISP chairperson for her efforts for improvement in the lives of the poorest of women.
They said that a positive momentum was being seen among BISP beneficiaries since she assumed the office of the BISP chairperson. They said the BISP chairperson had been successful in instilling hope and passion in BISP beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries talked about the change the BISP had brought into their lives through cash grants and other initiatives. They said that they felt financially empowered, as the stipend would serve to meet their basic needs of food and shelter. They said they planned to start their own businesses through Prime Minister’s Loan Scheme.
The BISP chairperson said that gender equality and women’s empowerment were the ultimate goals and the government was making serious efforts to guarantee women their rights. She said the BISP was an example of government’s commitment to women’s empowerment. She said that in today’s world Pakistan could not afford to squander the abilities of half of it population. She said that women’s empowerment was the key to economic sustainability and better living standards.
At the end, the Charter for Women of Pakistan was unveiled. Women media persons pledged to support the BISP efforts for dignity and empowerment of the most vulnerable women and projection of women role models. They also vowed to highlight the issues pertaining to domestic violence, injustices, unequal pay, gender parity, malnutrition, adult education, immunisation, family planning, interest free loans and safety of women at workplace and home.
Media women assured Memon that they would play their part in making the BISP e-commerce a success and connect corporate sector with the vulnerable women by advocating corporate social responsibility. BISP beneficiaries thanked the prime minister for the health insurance, education and loan schemes for the poor people.
In line with the International Women’s Day theme “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it Up for Gender Equality”, the government has pledged to take steps to achieve gender parity.
Later, the BISP chairperson connected with the beneficiaries from remote areas via live radio broadcast. Beneficiaries from all over Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas apprised the chairperson of their problems. Replying to queries, Memon said that she assumed the office in February last year and she was trying to make BISP more efficient. She said that she expected a re-survey transition, payment transition and a graduation transition this year. She assured the live callers that their complaints would be addressed at the earliest.
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