First Lady of Pakistan urges for women-friendly and harassment-free work environment

The First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Alvi, has called for a work environment that is friendly to women and free from harassment. She emphasized that this is necessary so that women can work without fear and contribute to the development and prosperity of their families, organizations, and their country.

Addressing a ceremony to celebrate International Women’s Day at a private sector organization in Karachi, Begum Samina Alvi stressed the responsibility of the business community to create women-friendly workplaces and provide them with the necessary support and facilities to enhance their inclusion in the mainstream of economic sectors. She stated that without making women a part of businesses and the productive workforce, Pakistan could not progress.

The First Lady further expressed her views on the need to invest in the health and education of women and their empowerment. She said that countries that have progressed are those that invested in women’s education and empowerment.

Begum Samina Alvi regretted that women’s representation in Pakistan’s labour force and mainstream socio-economic activities was much lower than that of men. Therefore, she stressed the need to provide women with education, skills and employment opportunities to ameliorate this situation.