A state-of-the-art Women Development Centre (WDC) was inaugurated here at the Government College University Lahore on Monday to facilitate female students for career development, entrepreneurship, online education and leadership.

Punjab Minister for Women Development Ashifa Riaz Fatyana along with Alhamra Arts Council Chairperson Muneeza Hashmi and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi inaugurated the Centre established at the University's Faiz Hall with generous support from Women Development Department, Punjab.

Alhamra Arts Council Chairperson Muneeza Hashmi donated the portraits of Pakistani women that influenced the world of art and culture to the Centre. These portraits were put on display at the inauguration ceremony.  

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Minister Ashifa Riaz Fatyana said last year, they decided to establish women development centres in universities across Punjab, and GCU has taken a lead in this regard. "Such centres would also be established in 18 other universities in the province for which memorandums of understandings (MoUs) have already been signed with 14 universities," she said. 

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi said the GCU Women Development Centre (WDC) would be a role model for other universities as it has already started taking initiatives to raise awareness among women about their political, economic, social and legal rights.

He said that the GCU-WDC is holding a series of grand events this International Women's Day 2022 to celebrate women on its campus.  "These two-day celebrations began today on Monday with a seminar on "social and legal aspects of workplace harassment and property rights of women in Pakistan" addressed by Ombudsperson Punjab Nabila Khan, Prof. Zaidi added.

The Vice-Chancellor revealed that the WDC is also holding the First Women Mushaira on the campus besides hosting an exhibition by female entrepreneurs.   

Prof. Zaidi expressed gratitude to Muneeza Hashmi for donating portraits of eminent women, saying these portraits would inspire students to excel in their fields.

Earlier, addressing the seminar, Ombudsperson Punjab Nabila Khan said Pakistan had very strict laws against workplace harassment and to protect the property rights of women. She said these laws ensure speedy justice to women.

The Ombudsperson gave a detailed briefing to students about different kinds of harassment and legal protection available to women and students in such situations. She told female students that they can also file a complaint with the Harassment Committee in their universities.

Addressing the seminar, the Vice-Chancellor said GCU had zero tolerance against harassment. "We have taken serious action against two faculty members on students' complaints," he said.

Prof. Zaidi explained that he had made ten focal persons in different parts of the campus so that students can report any form of harassment to them. He said he also give personal hearing to students for two hours every week so if they want to directly file any complaint to him.

A large gathering of female students and faculty members attended the seminar.