Rural women are Punjab’s economic backbone, says CM Maryam

• Punjab CM pays tribute to resilience, hard work of rural women on International Day of Rural Women
• Describes them as partners in Punjab’s development and backbone of its agricultural economy
• Says different empowerment initiatives launched, including Kissan Card, Livestock Card and Himmat Card

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday paid rich tribute to the hard work, resilience, and sacrifices of rural women, describing them as the backbone of the province’s agricultural and economic strength.

In her message on the International Day of Rural Women, the chief minister said the day recognised the tireless contributions of women in villages to family welfare, community development, and the provincial economy. She called rural women “a living example of hard work, compassion, and responsibility,” whose labour “makes Punjab’s fields flourish, homes prosper, and the economy grow.”

Maryam Nawaz said that rural women were not merely workers but “active partners in Punjab’s journey towards progress and development,” adding that the protection of women, particularly those in rural areas, was her red line.

She noted that the Punjab government had launched a series of initiatives to empower rural women by expanding opportunities, skills, and facilities. Women in rural areas, she added, were already benefiting from the Kissan Card, Livestock Card, and Himmat Card programmes.

The chief minister said that Basic Health Units (BHUs) across Punjab were being upgraded to provide quality healthcare for women, while interest-free loans, laptops, and educational scholarships were transforming the lives of “rural daughters.” She said skill development programmes and livestock distribution schemes were also promoting self-employment and economic independence among women.

Maryam Nawaz said her vision was for rural women to become not only farmers but also decision-makers and a powerful economic force. She reiterated that the goal of a strong, self-reliant, and prosperous Punjab could not be achieved without their active participation.

She added that the establishment of Virtual Police Stations would ensure the protection of women’s rights across all sections of society, reflecting the government’s commitment to building an inclusive and gender-equitable Punjab.