ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) has finalised a plan to establish 100 computer laboratories in its Women Empowerment Centres (WECs) (Vocational Dastkari Schools) to equip technically the vulnerable segment of the society.
According to an official, the programme was a joint effort of Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM), Universal Service Fund (USF) and Microsoft to help young girls from underserved areas. Collaborative efforts were key for alleviating poverty from the country.
He said 157 Women Empowerment Centres (WEC) were working in the country under the PBM. Microsoft was already setting up IT labs in 50 WECs in collaboration with the USF.
Now they had decided to establish 50 more computer laboratories in WECs, making the number of computer laboratories to 100.
The provision of modern IT labs would enable young girls to meet challenges of modern world besides learning new skills.
In these centres the poor girls would be provided IT training including web designing, networking and other skills to make them economically self-reliant. The IT and modern knowledge would help poor women to become entrepreneurs and contributors to national economy.
He said the PBM was committed to empower poor women by enhancing their communication skills, providing them modern knowledge based infrastructure to help evading marginalisation.
The WECs are also working in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Areas. The schools offering free training to widows, orphans and poor girls in different skill including drafting, cutting, sewing, knitting, hand & machine embroidery, fax, photoā€‘ copiers, printers, interior decoration, beautician, cooking, tie and dye and glass painting etc, according to the requirement of area.
Local skills are also being imparted in these schools.
Source: APP
