HYDERABAD: Sindh Minister for Women Development Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto said on Tuesday that punishment for those responsible for honour killings (Karo-Kari) was essential.

Talking to newsmen at the Hyderabad Press Club, the minister said those responsible for the honour killings should be punished to bring down the number of victims. The minister said 10 journalists would be awarded the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto awards for their best reports on torture against women and other related issues every year. She said female writers would be promoted and small loans provided to them.

Tauqeer Fatima said the labour laws meant for male workers should also be applied to female workers and added that women associated with the livestock sector would be provided with loans.

She said complaint centres for women would be established in every district of Sindh and added that these should be established at the DCO offices. The minister said working women hostel would be made functional.

She termed health, education and rights as the main problems of the Sindhi women. She added that skilled females who were working at their homes would also be promoted and projected.
Source: The News
Date:5/21/2008