Auart Foundation, in collaboration with of Women Development Department, Government of Punjab, organized a reception and an orientation session for recently elected women members of Punjab Assembly, on June 1, 2013, at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore.

Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, former Advisor to CM and MPA, Ms Saleema Hashmi, Caretaker Minister for Women Development, Dr Mira Phailbus, Ombudswoman Punjab, Ms Irum Bukhari, Secretary Women Development Punjab, and Mr Moeen Akhtar, Director Women Development Punjab, participated on special invitation.  Ms Nasreen Zehra, Resident Director Aurat Foundation, welcomed the guests, and Ms Mumtaz Mughal, Provincial Manager Aawaz programme of  Aurat Foundation, moderated the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Salima Hashmi, Caretaker Minister for Women’s Development, Punjab, and Dr. Mira Phialbus, Ombudswoman, Punjab, congratulated the women assembly members on becoming legislator  and expressed their good wishes for overcoming the challenges and put forth various suggestions for resolving the women problems. They said that the women assembly members will have to work hard to meet the expectations of the people. They also lauded the role of NGOs   in highlighting women’s rights.

Ms Irum Bukhari, Secretary Women’s Development, Punjab, gave a detailed about the legal steps taken for the protection of women and Women Package 2012. Ms Nasreen Zehra, Resident Director, Aurat Foundation, congratulated to elected women members provincial assembly and said that they should work for the rights of women at every level and utilize all resources for their socio-economic and educational development.  Mumtaz Mughal highlighted the women issues including eliminating discriminatory laws against women and domestic violence, and political empowerment. She said that the budget in education and health sectors for women should be increased.

Later, shields were given to the women provincial assembly members on behalf of Women Development Department Punjab and Aurat Foundation. The participants included 40 women members of Punjab assembly, representatives of civil society and media persons.