Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in her message on the International Day of the Girl Child, said daughters were a blessing from Allah Almighty and a valuable asset to society.
She said providing daughters with equal opportunities in education, healthcare, protection and development was the collective responsibility of everyone. Empowering girls was essential to laying the foundation for a strong, prosperous and progressive society. The chief minister stressed the need to highlight the importance of protecting girls’ rights, promoting their education and taking measures to make them independent.
She said every girl deserved a safe and supportive environment where she could fulfil her dreams and play her role in the development of the country and the nation. The courage, determination and capabilities of girls had the power to change the world, she added, urging them to move forward with confidence and assuring them that the government stood by their side. “Our daughters, sisters and girls are the future of the nation. Their upbringing and care are not only their right but also a national responsibility,” she said. Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the Punjab government was implementing a comprehensive roadmap for the education, protection, healthcare and welfare of girls and women. Providing equal educational opportunities to girls and ensuring a bright future for them remained among the government’s top priorities, she added.
She said the Punjab government had distributed laptops to facilitate girls’ access to education, while scholarships were being provided to remove barriers to their educational pursuits. A scooty scheme had also been introduced to facilitate female students’ commuting to schools and colleges.
The chief minister said a Pink Button had been introduced to provide girls with a safer environment. A Women Virtual Police Station had been established to ensure women’s protection and provide them with immediate police assistance.