ISLAMABAD:June 26: An INGO will implement a programme titled “Girl Power Programme” through which over 9,000 girls and young women will be provided with post primary education facilities at their doorstep free of cost and over 10,000 women and 40,000 children will be provided with protection services through help lines.

Plan International Pakistan held the launching ceremony of the programme here on Monday. Ambassador of Netherlands Hugo Gajus Scheltema was the chief guest on the occasion.

The Girl Power Programme is funded by the Dutch government and aims at strengthening the civil society to ensure the right of girls and young women to full and equal participation in the social, economic and political development of society.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Netherlands Hugo Gajus Scheltema said the Dutch government is funding various projects along with GPP on pre-primary, primary, secondary and technical/vocational education and training. Construction and rehabilitation of (girls) schools and classrooms, improvement of sanitary facilities, provision of textbooks and complementary learning materials, teacher training and school based planning and management are part and parcel of most of the projects.

He said, “Despite the fact that female education is an important investment in any country, more than half of the female population in Pakistan never went to school which is alarming.”

On this occasion, the Country Director Plan International Pakistan Rashid Javed said, “Eradication of violence against women is very high on the agenda of GPP and the programme focuses on ensuring effective child protection mechanisms to reduce discrimination and gender based violence and increase access of girls to post primary education in a safe environment.”

He said, “Over 9,000 girls and young women will soon be enrolled in Fast Track Learning Centres to provide them with the post primary education facilities at their doorstep and over 10,000 women and 40,000 children will be provided with protection services through help lines.”

The other speakers include Plan International’s Country Programme Managers Imran Shami, Farrah Naz, Project Manager GPP Zulqarnain Rafiq, Nazir Ahmed Sangi, Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University, Director Bureau for University Extension and Special Projects/Programmes MukhtiarTalpur, President Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid Zia Awan, General Manager Mountain Institute of Educational Development Shamshad Ali, Programme Manager Bedari Joanna Wizlitz, and Programme Manager National rural Support Programme Arafat Majeed.Nation.