LHW to provide help to pregnant displaced women
Sindh Minister for Women Development Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto has assured NGOs of provision of a Lady Health Worker (LHW) for medical advice and help of about 30 pregnant women at the IDPs Tent Village in Kemari Town.
She was addressing a ceremony at the 500 Quarter IDP Tent Village in Maripur held for distribution of winter packages by the Karachi-based children and women rights NGO, Roshni Helpline.
Roshni Helpline President Muhammad Ali told the minister of a survey conducted by the NGO that there were 32 pregnant women in the camp who did not have access to any regular medical advice and help and were on their own. The Islamabad-based NGO, Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA), runs a Women Friendly Space (WFS) and a Children Friendly Space (CFS) in collaboration with the Roshni Helpline.
The minister said she would take the matter with the health ministry and use services of her own ministry for appointment of a Lady Health Worker (LHW) for the camp for regular maternity aid of this group. The provincial minister said she would also take other matters such as stoppage of meal to IDPs, provision of potable water, Watan Cards and provision of milk for IDPs children with the relevant ministries and get them resolved on permanent basis.
Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto also met with the IDPs Action Committee members and assured them of all possible help in addressing the problems of IDPs.
The minister later visited the WFS and saw work i.e. hand embroidery, hand stitching and other work of the displaced women. The minister appreciated their talent and assured them of taking measures for development and welfare. She later distributed winter packages consisting of quilts, pillows and warm clothes among the displaced families.
Earlier, Roshni Helpline President Muhammad Ali briefed the minister on the PODA-Roshni project. He said that at the WFS, which is attended by about a 100 women on an average, women are imparted basic educational, vocational and recreational skills. Trained and skilled staff teaches them basic numeric and vocational skills such as hand embroidery, hand stitching, and cloth cutting and designing. Many displaced women have shown immense talent and skills, and have potential of becoming aspiring entrepreneurs. They exhibit their work in the 40x40 tent from time to time, where visitors appreciate their talent and express a lot of praise for them.
He said that at the space, girls are also given guidelines and training on household issues, especially those relevant to home economics. They are also given training in maintenance of hygiene and guidelines on basic health issues. They are provided an environment to spend some quality time with teachers and guides and learn different skills. They also participate in indoor as well as outdoor sports activities.
The Roshni Helpline president said that at the CFS, there are about 350 registered children. They attend the CFS from 9 am to 5 pm for non-formal educational, recreational and sport activities. From 9 to 12, they are given training in health and hygiene issues. Children are also practically taught different matters, for example, how to wash their hands. Children’s safety and protection sessions are also held.