National News
UK pledges to help women and girls in Pakistan
Posted on: Sat December 10, 2011
National Highlights
ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom will do all it can to support Pakistan to empower women, stop violence, and harness the economic potential of half its population.
It was stated by George Turkington, Head of the UK"s Department for International Development in Pakistan during his visit to a crisis centre for women in Chakwal on Friday.
He said the British help will improve economic conditions, talent, skills, and efficiency of half the women.
George Turkington said, "The UK government has put women and girls at the centre of everything it does in Pakistan and UK will do all it can to support Pakistan to empower women by strengthening legislation on land rights, marriage rights, domestic violence and get more girls and women involved in decision making at community and federal level so that they can demand their basic rights."
He said the top priority for the UK over the next few years is to help Pakistan get two million more girls into school; as well as reducing the number of women who die in childbirth; allow women to choose when and how many children they have; and empower women to access financial services such as micro-loans so they can earn more money and lift their families out of poverty.
Courtesy : Dawn News