First Lady Begum Samina Alvi was the chief guest on the occasion. Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Ms Kashmala Tariq, MNA and Chairperson Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Senator Ms Fawzia Arshad, Group Leader Sohail Altaf, President Rauf, Senior Vice President Asim Malik, Vice President Talat Awan, Chairperson Falak Anjum, women members, and students were also present on the occasion.
First Lady Samina Alvi lauded RCCI efforts for promoting women entrepreneurship, women empowerment and emphasised the need for ensuring the inclusion of women in the national mainstream.
She said no country could progress without the empowerment of women and stressed upon all the segments of society to play their role in this regard. Pakistani women are showcasing their talent in various fields and professions. She mentioned that women in the country achieved a successful position after a great struggle, she said.
Begum Alvi said the government was taking concrete steps to provide equal opportunities for women to excel. She emphasised upon inculcating the values of respecting women and children rights from homes so as to help develop a civilised society.
Kashmala Khan said it was time to break gender biases in society and realise the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated society. She emphasised upon the need for including women in decision-making and providing them equal job opportunities. She said the government was taking steps for the empowerment of women through effective steps and mentioned that her office was giving verdicts on women’s property-related cases within two months.
President RCCI Chaudhry Naeem Rauf said Pakistan could only progress with the participation of women in all fields of life, particularly trade and business. He said setting up micro-enterprises, women chambers and industrial academia linkages was the need of the time.
RCCI President Nadeem Rauf presented bouquet to first lady during her visit to chamber to mark International Women’s Day 2022.