KARACHI: The women development department has initiated a number of programmes for providing economic and social protection to women and to help them play a better role in law-making process, etc.

According to Women Development Minister Tauqir Fatima Bhutto, Rs302.953 million had been earmarked for 16 schemes under the Annual Development Plan (ADP) 2009-2010. The schemes include 11 ongoing and five new schemes to empower women socially and economically. She said that the department secured the release of 196 women prisoners so far through the revolving fund and over Rs9 million has been paid to the Inspector-General of Sindh Prisons for the purpose.

Giving details, she said Rs2 million were paid as fine for the release of 57 women and young-age prisoners, Rs2.176 million spent on payment of airfares for 56 foreign women along with nine children and Rs3.396 million were paid as surety amount for 59 women and 24 young-age prisoners. She said that lawyers were being engaged on government expenses to provide legal aid to undertrial women who could not afford the fee of lawyers.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/2/2010