USAID presents 200 bicycles to University of Agriculture Faisalabad under Gender Equity Program

Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development John Groarke presided over an event today at the University of Agriculture-Faisalabad during which the United States Government presented 200 bicycles to the university’s Women’s Cycling Club. The donation is part of a grant to empower women in Pakistan’s agriculture sector under USAID’s Gender Equity Program. “Among the many challenges facing women during their education, and later on as they pursue careers, is access to safe and accessible transportation,” said Mr. Groarke. “It is our hope that these bicycles will help increase the mobility of women students on this campus. The confidence they gain from this experience will help them later in life as well,” he added. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that female students rode bicycles on the University’s campus in the 70’s but that this practice declined over time. He expressed appreciation for USAID’s gift. He said that the university was making all-out efforts to empower women and provide them state-of-the-art facilities. He also said that with the funding of Punjab Government, the country largest hostel for 1000 girls is near to completion. He also said that such basic necessaries are compulsory to be provided especially to girls. He said that we have set up working women hostel, Day Care Center, five hostels at Postgraduate Agriculture Research Station and many others. He urged the women to play their active role in socio-economic activities that is prerequisite to compete with the rest of the world. He said that UAF was running various projects with USAID and Aurat Foundation aimed at women empowerment. He said that without the active participation of women, the dream of development cannot be fulfilled. He said that the women faculty members at UAF has increased fourfold in eight years as it was 35 in 2008 and now it is 150. He said that 45 percent of our enrolled students are women. One of the students stated, “I was a little hesitant when I first started cycling but I am much more confident now.” The Gender Equity Program, funded by USAID, is being implemented by the Aurat Foundation across the country. This $40-million, five-year program aims to improve women’s access to justice, expand economic opportunities for women, advocate for women’s social and political empowerment, support survivors of gender-based violence, and build the capacity of government and civil society to prevent, respond to, and eliminate gender-based violence.