SANGHAR, July 11: About 3,222 women were elected in local body elections in 2000 but most of them remained disempowered because union councils were given no power. For sucess of the devolution programme, the federal government should delegate powers to provinces and from there to districts, talukas and union councils.

This was stated by speakers at a seminar “women’s participation in local body elections” held here at the press club on Monday. The seminar was organized by the Aurat Foundation.

A large number of women participated in the seminar.

The speakers said the elections should be held in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere. They said a large number of women had participated in the local body polls.