The Punjab Government has launched ever-first women rescue helpline 1213 in Faisalabad for combating violence against women, said MPA Najma Afzal.

The Punjab Government has launched ever-first women rescue helpline 1213 in Faisalabad for combating violence against women, said MPA Najma Afzal.The Punjab Government has launched ever-first women rescue helpline 1213 in Faisalabad for combating violence against women, said MPA Najma Afzal. The Punjab Government has launched ever-first women rescue helpline 1213 in Faisalabad for combating violence against women, said MPA Najma Afzal. She was talking to the participants of concluding session of women week arranged at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. It was the part of World Women Day Celebrations in which different events including seminar, walk, cooking and painting contests, cultural show, etc were arranged. Najma Afzal said that now, the women can call to helpline to register their complaints and get the justice at their doorstep. She said 80 percent women belonged to deprived segment of the society. She said that the government was making all-out efforts to empower the women and the new initiatives are being taken. She said Women Empowerment Package has being introduced in order to address the women issues by curbing the violence against women and giving them equal rights. She said that the government has waived off tax over the transferring of inherited property to the women. She said that women parliamentary group for the legislation and implementation of women rights and empowerment had been established. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said women empowerment was prerequisite to achieve sustainable development and prosperity. He said that UAF is taking many initiatives to narrow the gender gap including residential and sports facilities for women. Four year ago, only 40 female teachers were serving at the campus against the current women teaching staff of 150. The gender ratio in the postgraduate programs is 50 percent women. The Day Care Centre, Women Complex, Counseling Centre, Career Development Centre, have been added to facilitate the students. He said The Punjab Government has approved establishment of mega project of women hostel for 1000 students. The development work on the hostel is in full swing. He also said that the Federal Government has approved hostel for 1000 women development project worth 1.6 billion at UAF also with the special efforts of Parliamentary Secretary Rana Afzal Khan, he added. Director Institute of Home Science Dr Naheed Abbas said that the week is aimed at raising the awareness about women rights and empowerment like issues. Dr Naureen Rana, Lecturer Rabia Farida, Lecturer Iqra Shagufta, Sobia Roz, Shoab Aziz and others also spoke on the occasion.