Govt committed to expand educational, employment opportunities for women
Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday announced laptops for position-holding students and five buses for Kinnaird College for Women, reaffirming her government’s commitment to expanding educational and employment opportunities for women.
Addressing the 89th convocation of Kinnaird College, the chief minister congratulated the graduating students, their parents and faculty members, describing every girl present at the ceremony as “a complete story of success”.
She said the provincial government was determined to reach every household and ensure that every child had the opportunity to receive an education, regardless of financial circumstances.
She acknowledged the additional challenges women face in pursuing their ambitions, observing that society often views men’s professional aspirations differently from those of women.
“When a boy works hard, people say he wants to get ahead. When a girl works hard, they say she is only concerned about herself,” she said, urging women to become empowered, remain determined and prove their capabilities through hard work.
The chief minister said she balanced official responsibilities with domestic duties, adding that women should not be discouraged from pursuing professional careers by the expectation that they might neglect their homes. She said providing a conducive and safe environment for women was the government’s responsibility, adding that she had worked over the past three years to make Punjab a more women-friendly province.
She further expressed her pleasure and said she was elated to see young women riding scooters and rickshaws and participating in the workforce. Recalling a video of a student who attended university in the morning and worked as an Uber driver in the evening, she said women were no less capable than men.
She stressed that harassment and violence against women would not be tolerated in Punjab. The government was working to ensure safer public spaces and improve employment opportunities for women, she said.
Referring to security arrangements on public transport, the chief minister said CCTV cameras and panic buttons had been installed on electric buses to facilitate prompt action against harassment. She urged female students to report such incidents and asked parents to listen to their daughters’ complaints rather than discourage them from speaking out.
She said the government had moved towards providing equal opportunities in its schemes, contrasting the previous allocation of 70 per cent of opportunities to boys and 30pc to girls with the current policy of equal access.
The chief minister also highlighted educational initiatives, including the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, laptop distribution and Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence, saying the government was committed to helping students who could not continue their education because of financial constraints.
She said that when she assumed office, 22 universities did not have vice chancellors, but appointments had since been made on merit. She personally conducted interviews to ensure that appointments were not influenced by recommendations, adding that unsuitable appointments could damage educational institutions.
The chief minister urged students not to consider themselves inferior to others and encouraged them to use education to improve their prospects. She said challenges were an inevitable part of life and should be faced with courage and perseverance.
Referring to her own experience, she said she had been told that governing Punjab would be difficult because of the province’s size and the challenges of managing the police and bureaucracy. However, she said hard work could enable women to rise to positions such as chief minister, minister, commissioner and deputy commissioner.
She also praised Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb for her efforts to address smog, saying the government had taken steps to provide children with a healthier environment.
The chief minister said the provincial government would continue providing resources to help students become financially independent. She also highlighted plans to facilitate women’s access to electric bikes through easy instalments.
Concluding her address, Maryam Nawaz expressed pride in the achievements of Punjab’s daughters and called on parents to encourage their children to pursue their ambitions without fear. She also led the students in applauding their parents for supporting them through their educational journeys.