PM hails MPs on passage of pro-women bill by Senate

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani congratulated the women parliamentarians in particular and members of the parliament in general on enactment of “Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill 2008” by the Senate on Monday.The legislation would go a long way in empowering the women and giving them their rightful place in the society. The Prime Minister said the dream of Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto, who was a great upholder of women rights and launched a campaign for their empowerment, came true today.She espoused the cause of women rights at all forums both within the country and at the international fora whenever there was an opportunity, the Prime Minister said.The Prime Minister said the PPP manifesto stands for the women rights because their equal rights have been guaranteed in the 1973 Constitution given by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.The Prime Minister said no nation could tread on the trajectory of progress, prosperity and social development without ensuring the participation of women in the national development process.The Prime Minister said he always considered the womenfolk as his constituency and was extremely happy that the Parliament passed the bill during his tenure of premiership.The Prime Minister said the present democratic government had allocated 10 percent quota for women in the government jobs with a view to bring them at par with men to play their role in the socio-economic development of the country.The Prime Minister said as a result of the government policies, the women were holding important positions in all walks of life including the armed forces.