SKARDU: A women welfare body has launched four vocational training centres for women in backward areas of Skardu.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, coordinator of the Fatima Ali Ju Women Foundation (FAWF), Raza Tasawwar, said that the foundation had been endeavouring for the skill development of poor women in the region area for the last 22 years.

Notables of the area and women in large numbers attended the ceremony.

The foundation, under its women empowerment and skill development programme, has so far set up two schools for poor students and a vocational training centre for women,” added Mr Tasawwar.

He said that the corporate services responsibilities (CSR) division of the National Bank of Pakistan, Karachi, was sponsoring the project, and thanked the bank for funding the construction of the four vocational training centres.

Mr Tasawwar said that 25 poor women would be given a two-month training on sewing and embroidery in each centre. “After completion of this training each participant will be provided sewing machines and other equipments so that they can start small businesses to earn respectable living,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Hussain Azad, president of the Skardu Press Club, lauded the efforts of FAWF for women development in the remote and neglected areas.

He said that women were important part of society and they should be encouraged to take responsibilities of developing the backward areas.

“The women of backward areas of Baltistan have great potential but they have no opportunities to polish their skills to help feed their families honourably,” said Mr Azad.

Towards the end, Ahmed Hussain, a representative of National Bank’s CSR division, handed over a donation cheque to Fatima Ali Ju, the founder of FAWF.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2014