LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the launch of a new initiative aimed at economically empowering rural women through the provision of free livestock.
The program, introduced to support women’s livelihood opportunities at the grassroots level, will begin with the distribution of livestock to deserving women across 13 districts of Punjab.
Under the first phase of the scheme, free livestock will be provided to eligible rural women from districts including Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Layyah, Kot Addu, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Taunsa, Bahawalnagar, Khanewal, Vehari, among others.
Officials said the program will prioritize divorced and widowed rural women, providing them with an additional pathway to income generation.
Eligibility Criteria:
The eligibility age limit has been set at 55 years, and applicants will be required to have their divorced or widowed status verified by the Punjab Social Protection Authority to ensure the scheme’s transparency and fairness.
Women who have already received livestock under any government program within the past five years will not be eligible to benefit again, according to the clarification issued for the scheme.
To make the application process easier, Chief Minister Facilitation Desks have been established at nearby veterinary and animal hospitals, where women can receive guidance and assistance in approaching the program requirements.
Speaking on the initiative, Maryam Nawaz said poverty can be effectively addressed only by bringing rural women into the economic mainstream. She emphasized that by creating sustainable livestock-based employment opportunities, rural women can be supported in achieving financial independence and long-term economic stability.
