ISLAMABAD: The Senate unanimously approved a resolution to empower women online by giving ICT (information and communication technology) education a higher priority and allocating specific funds through public sector development initiatives. On the floor of the Upper House of Parliament, Senator Seemee Ezdi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Samina Mumtaz Zehri presented the resolution and urged the government to create and implement a National Action Plan for implementing a gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology, and digital education. In accordance with the United Nations theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender,” the Senate declared March 8th, 2023, as International Women’s Day. The resolution aims to support and create a world free of prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination.
Celebrating the contributions being made by women and girls in every field, especially in technology and online education, it acknowledged the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities and recognized the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces, besides addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence. The Senate recognized that bringing women and other marginalized groups into technology would result in more creative solutions as they have greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality. The resolution quoted the father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as saying that “There are two powers in the world: one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two.
There is a third power stronger than both, that of the women.” Meanwhile, Lawmakers in the Upper House of Parliament on Monday urged the government to devise a solid mechanism for smooth distribution of ‘Free Atta’ among deserving people in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhunkhwa. Speaking on point of orders, they pointed out some deaths in stampedes during distribution of ‘Free Atta’ in both provinces. Haji Hiddiyatullah of Awami National Party, appreciating the Prime Minister for the initiative, said long queues were witnessed for receiving ‘free Atta’. A mechanism should be devised so the needy people could get the flour at their doorsteps, he added.
Tahir Bizenjo of National Party said the people were facing problems in during the distribution of ‘free atta’ and they had to wait in long queues. He called for taking steps to ensure smooth supply of ‘Atta’ to the people in a dignified manner. Senator Fida Muhammad of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said some people had lost their lives during the distribution of ‘free atta’. The government should provide free flour to them in a dignified manner, he added. Senator Faisal Javed of PTI said there were some instances of mismanagement in the distribution of ‘Free Atta’ and the people had to face problems. The distribution system should be streamlined in order to make the process easy and efficient, he added.
