PESHAWAR - KPK  Minister for Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that ensuring gender equality is dire need of the hour, saying women are not providing due status in our society despite their important role in the economic development of the country.
“Women are an integral part of the society as they have greater contribution in the economic development of the country,” Mian Iftikhar said while speaking at a seminar regarding “Violence Against Women” organized by White Ribbon Campaign, an NG) here at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday.
He stressed the need for women empowerment and provision of equal opportunities in the society. He also admitted that women in the under developed and less developed Eastern societies were not given their due status, while ratio of violence against women is also increasing with the every passing day.
The minister said that women are facing an embarrassed situation especially in developing societies, and their basic rights are being violated in name of traditions and cultural norms.
“Women are being treated with in rude behavior while in the developed world they were given upper hand to them, he remarked adding the developed world is being following the mandatory rules in our religion for provision of due rights and status to women, in shape of mother, sister and daughter.
 and mother.
“It is our religious obligation to give due respect and status to women in the society and provide them equal opportunities to play their effective role in the development of the country, he maintained.