Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Orders Construction of Bar Rooms and Daycare Centres for Women Lawyers in Three Districts
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken significant steps towards empowering women in the legal profession by announcing the construction of ladies’ bar rooms and daycare centres for women lawyers in three key districts of the province: Attock, Bahawalnagar, and Lodhran. The announcement was made in response to growing requests from women lawyers for enhanced facilities that address their unique challenges, including the need for more accommodating workspaces and childcare support.
This decision, made public on Saturday, underscores the Punjab government’s commitment to improving the working conditions for women lawyers, providing them with the necessary infrastructure to thrive in their profession. As part of this initiative, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the Department of Communications and Works to expedite the process of constructing the facilities in the designated districts.
Efforts to Provide Better Amenities for Women Lawyers
The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of providing women in the legal profession with basic amenities at their workplaces. “Women lawyers play an integral role in the judicial system, and it is essential that they are provided with the appropriate infrastructure to support their professional development,” she said.
The Communications and Works Department, which has been tasked with this initiative, has already prepared standard designs for the ladies’ bar rooms in the three districts. These bar rooms will provide a safe, comfortable, and professional environment for women lawyers to work and collaborate.
Expansion of the Program to Other Regions
In addition to the three districts, the government is also planning to assess the feasibility of expanding the initiative to other regions across Punjab. This expansion would ensure that more women lawyers, particularly those in remote or underserved areas, have access to improved facilities.
In support of this initiative, Advocate General of Punjab, Khalid Ishaq, announced that similar facilities, including bar rooms and daycare centres, would be set up in other bar associations, including Jand, Fort Abbas, and Dunyapur. The establishment of daycare centres is a particularly welcome addition, as it addresses one of the major challenges faced by women lawyers—balancing their professional responsibilities with childcare.
Additional Amenities for Women Lawyers
In addition to the construction of bar rooms and daycare centres, the Punjab government has also announced the inclusion of small kitchen facilities in these new spaces. This is aimed at further enhancing the convenience and comfort of women lawyers, allowing them to manage their daily needs while at work.
This holistic approach to improving the working conditions of women in the legal profession reflects the Punjab government’s commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women across various sectors.
Punjab’s Chief Minister Transport Programme for Women
Alongside the initiatives for women lawyers, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has also launched the Chief Minister Transport Programme for Women. This program is aimed at addressing the transportation needs of female students across the province by providing buses to girls’ colleges. The transport program, which was inaugurated earlier this month, will benefit thousands of female students who previously faced difficulties in accessing reliable transportation to their educational institutions.
During the launch of the program, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz handed over the keys of the first batch of buses to the principals of 19 women’s colleges. These buses are part of a larger plan that will eventually see 76 buses distributed across the province in three phases.
Phase One of the Transport Program
The first phase of the Chief Minister Transport Programme for Women saw 19 buses delivered to girls’ colleges in 19 different tehsils. These tehsils, which were previously underserved in terms of transport facilities, include Bhakkar, Sialkot, Chiniot, Kamalia, Hasilpur, Malakwal, Ferozewala, Shorekot, Jatoi, Fateh Jang, Hasan Abdal, Kot Momin, Jalalpur Pirwala, Kallar Syedan, Pindi Gheb, Manchanabad, and Sharqpur.
This first phase marks the beginning of a larger initiative to improve access to education for young women, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The provision of these buses is expected to significantly ease the burden on female students who face transportation challenges, enabling them to attend college regularly and with greater ease.
Future Phases of the Transport Program
The second phase of the transport program, scheduled to be completed by February 2025, will see buses delivered to girls’ colleges in Nowshera Virkan, Dina, Yazman, Pindi Bhattian, Lalian, Bhawana, Kot Addu, Taxila, Sarai Alamgir, and Pelaan. Additionally, girls’ colleges in Allama Iqbal Town (Lahore), Isa Khel, Raiwind, and Sohawa will also receive buses during this phase.
By the third phase, expected to be completed by April 2025, buses and 32 coaches will be distributed to 35 more tehsils across Punjab. This comprehensive transport program is set to play a vital role in improving the educational outcomes for female students in the province, ensuring that they have safe and reliable transportation to and from their colleges.
Evaluating Future Improvements
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also took the opportunity to inspect the buses during the inauguration ceremony and evaluate a proposal for the provision of air-conditioned vehicles for girls’ colleges in the future. This potential upgrade would further enhance the comfort and convenience of the transport services being provided to female students.
During a briefing by Punjab Higher Education Secretary Dr. Farrukh Naveed, it was highlighted that the transport program is part of a broader strategy to improve educational facilities for women across the province. The government’s commitment to enhancing both the educational and professional opportunities for women is evident through these initiatives.
The initiatives announced by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, including the construction of ladies’ bar rooms and daycare centres for women lawyers, as well as the Chief Minister Transport Programme for Women, reflect a concerted effort to improve the working and educational environments for women in the province. These programs not only address the immediate needs of women in the legal and educational sectors but also represent a broader commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in Punjab.
As these programs progress, they are expected to bring about significant improvements in the quality of life and professional opportunities for women across Punjab, making the province a leader in promoting gender equality and supporting women’s advancement in various fields.
