-Government should fight hunger by empowering women

 

Government should fight hunger by empowering women

Women have limited options to fly high

Expos generate economic activity, brings talent forward

Exposure helps women learn economic skills, launch businesses

Islamabad: Dated: Feb 24

Samina Fazil, founder President, Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Friday said more and more women are entering into a world of massive unemployment with limited options.

She said that men manage the family's financial affairs therefore most of the women who enter into business have no experience with money which jeopardise their plans.

Samina Fazil said this after inaugurating an expo titled Spring Fiesta organised by Lubna Shahbaz.

Underlining the importance of first-time grants, microloans and training, she said such moves can help young women learn economic skills and launch small businesses successfully.

Government, NGOs and banking sector should realise that prosperity is tied to empowerment of women and facility of loans to expand or diversify.

Samina said fighting poverty to eradicate hunger is only possible if government undertake a well-funded women empowerment plan to across the country.

She demanded projects to help women learn networking, business planning, marketing, financial record-keeping and banking skills.

IWCCI is holding an expo in Islamabad on April 7-8 which will help build capacity of women, she informed.

At the occasion Lubna Shahbaz said that experienced businesswomen should be paired with new to provide guidance and counselling creating a bond of female solidarity that is integral to success.

She said that sustainable, grassroots and women-centred strategies should be adopted to end hunger and inequality.

Lubna Shahbaz said women bear almost all responsibility for meeting basic needs of the family but they are systematically denied the resources, information and freedom of action.

Dr. Laila Hassan said that the vast majority of the world's poor are women while two-thirds of the world's illiterates are female.

She said that food prices have forced many to compromise on food but women are hardest hit many of whom are denying them even one meal to ensure that their children are fed which is a great threat to our future.

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