No economic progress in Pak, without tapping economic potential of women: EU

ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) and its Member States said on Friday that there could not be a sustainable economic growth without tapping the economic potential of women in Pakistan.
The EU High Representative Catherine Ashton in a statement here on the occasion of international women day, called for removing all obstacles in way of women to enable them 'play a pivotal role' in Pakistan society.
"We will continue to work with all concerned stakeholders to promote the rights and empowerment of women in Pakistan. The EU Guidelines on violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them, address discrimination as well as violence against women," said an EU statement.
This year, the EU and its Member States are highlighting women's empowerment in Pakistan. In close cooperation with the Suleman Dawood School of Business (LUMS), the Netherlands Embassy, on behalf of the EU, is sponsoring a mentoring event titled "Women Mentoring Women in Business".
"We bring together ten female business mentors with fifty female business students from ten business schools in Lahore with the aim of enhancing women's leadership role in business," it said.
It said protecting and promoting women's rights is a priority in the EU's foreign policy. The EU Plan of Action on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Development 2010-2015 aims to accelerate the achievement of the MDGs.
This plan will also to attain the goals set out by CEDAW, the Beijing Platform of Action, and the Cairo Programme of Action, while improving coordination to increase impact on the ground. Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment is mainstreamed in all our actions.