Pakistan's Musharraf Pledges Further Steps To End Women's Plight
ISLAMABAD, March 8 (News Agencies) - Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf Thursday pledged his government would take further steps for the welfare and development of women facing discrimination in the country.
"We will spare no efforts in contributing to the initiative of the international community towards tolerance, peace and prosperity the world over," he said in a message marking the international women's day.
The general, who seized power in the October 1999 coup, said his government had focused its attention on the problems faced by women in Pakistan.
"The government is committed to take further steps for the welfare and development of women," he added.
In addition to the so-called "honor killings" every year dozens of women become victims of domestic violence. Women here also face difficulty in access to justice and a lack of job opportunities.
Human rights activists said more than 1,000 women were murdered last year and the practice was increasing despite the military-led government's efforts to stamp it out.
Such murders are supposed to redeem a family's honor in cases like adultery, divorce or even if a woman chooses to marry against her parents' wishes.
Musharraf said his government was "fully aware" of its responsibilities for women's development.
"It is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that a large number of women have been inducted in federal and provincial cabinets," saying that the government has allocated 33% of seats in local government institutions for women.
Musharraf, who has pledged to improve the plight of women in Pakistan, amended laws to treat honor killings as murders and established a women's commission.
He said he was confident that on-going efforts would have a "positive impact" on gender equality and development in Islamic Pakistan.
President Mohammad Rafiq Tarar said: "Our religion and laws enjoin upon us to ensure respect, dignity and sanctity to women."
The government is making "all-out efforts for providing them an environment where they can move along with men and play their due role in national development, compatible to their role in Islam," he said.
