Women Development Department (WDD) is actively communicating with district authorities of Punjab on a wide range of gender-related issues including Gender Mainstreaming, Gender Responsive Planning & Budgeting, Establishment of Working Women Hostels, Day Care Centers, Women-friendly Buildings including separate washrooms for females. WDD held a comprehensive consultative session in district Chiniot in collaboration with the office of Deputy Commissioner Chiniot, with District Officers of various departments and other relevant stakeholders. Secretary, WDD Ms. Sumaira Samad apprised the participants that the main objective of the session was to disseminate knowledge and create awareness in district Chiniot about concepts, issues and way forward regarding women empowerment and gender equality. She said that consultative sessions with a wide range of stakeholders at the district level was crucial to understand the issues on ground and find solutions. During the session meaningful dialogue was carried out to gather information on many issues such as details of working women in the district, major issues being faced by women in district Chiniot, status of availability of day care centers, status of availability of separate washrooms for females in all office buildings, requirements for working women hostel, and gender disaggregated inter-sectoral indicators. A candid and very informative discussion took place. The participants received greater awareness about the services being provided by WDD and the department found out about various issues being faced by women in the district, which would be conveyed to the concerned authorities and will also be important input for planning and implementing various interventions. WDD department is thankful to DC Chiniot and his team for excellent arrangements and to all the participants of the consultative session for their keen participation.
