Estb. 1882

University of the Punjab

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Women empowerment - Wastage of human resource could not be afforded: Dr Firdous
Women empowerment - Wastage of human resource could not be afforded: Dr Firdous


LAHORE: (Tuesday, February 2, 2021): Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has stressed the need to engage educated women for Pakistan’s economic development through their empowerment, arguing that half of the educated persons of the country are sitting at home and no state could afford wastage of such a great human resource. She was addressing the first international conference on social work titled “Contemporary Social Work Education & Practices: Challenges & Prospects” organized by Punjab University Department of Social Work here on Tuesday. Punjab Minister for Human Rights Mr Ejaz Alam Augustine, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar, Department of Social Work Chairperson Prof Dr Syeda Mahnaz Hasan, faculty members and teachers participated in the event. Eminent scientists in the field of social work from the United States, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Bangladesh and other countries participated in the conference through an online system. Addressing the conference, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that gone were the days when the wars were fought on the borders and now it was the era to fight wars on the fronts of economy and technology. She said that therefore we needed to encourage women and utilize their potential for the development of the economy of our country. She said that physical independence of any country was meaningless if she was not economically independent. She said that Pakistan could not prosper until we convert our challenges into opportunities. She said that Islam had presented a comprehensive charter of human rights for the first time. She said that Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) introduced human rights to the world. She said that the social work was aimed at serving humanity irrespective of their religion, caste, beliefs, color, gender etc. She said that Islam strongly condemned extremism and terrorism. She said that the people who worked for others live even after they die. She said that social workers played a role of facilitator in promotion of positivity and elimination of negativity. She said that social workers could create awareness among the masses on various important issues. She announced to extend full support to the idea of Dr Mehnaz regarding the establishment of the Council of Social Work. She appreciated the role of PU VC and Dr Mehnaz for the social well-being of the society. She urged the students to follow the lesson of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah i.e. Unity, Faith Discipline in their lives. She expressed the hope that the PU Department of Social Work under the leadership of Prof Dr Mehnaz would set new trends in this field. She said that our problems would be solved when we would begin watching the national interest, instead of personal interest. She said that social work was her most favorite hobby. Addressing the conference, Mr Ejaz Alam said that social work was the name of serving the ailing humanity and it played an important role in strengthening human relationships. He said that social work taught us to respect human beings and bring social change. He said that the Punjab government had taken several initiatives to improve the life standard of the people. Prof Niaz Ahmad said that we must play our role for the betterment of humanity, society and individuals. He said that only those people were successful in both of the worlds who did good deeds. He said that our Islam had taught us to take care of mankind and help each other in difficult times. He said that justice and human rights were the basic elements of social work. He praised Dr Mehnaz Hasan for playing an active role in helping the society during the pandemic. Addressing the conference, Dr Mehnaz Hasan said that the scope of social workers had enhanced manifold in the world and demanded teaching of social work as a subject at intermediate and school level. She announced the establishment of the Council of Social Work keeping in view the requirements of the society. She said that the conference had been organized to share modern research and knowledge in the fields of social work. She said that it was a good opportunity for the students to benefit from scholars from various parts of the world as well as the country and network with them. The conference would continue today.