Marvi Memon to receive UK parliament’s Speaker's Democracy Award
Memon is being awarded for her work for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
March 30, 2017
Pakistani politician Marvi Memon will be honoured with the Speaker’s Democracy Award by the UK parliament.
The announcement came on Thursday, in which Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, remarked that Memon is being awarded for her work for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
Memon, who is the chairperson of BISP, has helped about 5.3 million women in Pakistan by providing them with a stipend for necessities such as food, clothes, health and education, according to the John Bercow’s statement.
“[Memon’s work] has done a great deal in terms of combating poverty and child malnutrition in rural areas. Not only this, the programme also facilitates the participation of women in Pakistani electoral politics by encouraging them to obtain ID cards which allow them to vote,” reads the statement.
Speaking about the award, John Bercow said that the award endeavours to celebrate achievements of those individuals who promote democracy. “The intention of this award is to allow this House to recognise and celebrate individuals who have championed democracy, or brought about social change in an emerging democracy,” the statement said.
On the judging panel were the “Honourable Members for Congleton, and Ochil and South Perthshire and the Right Honourable Member for Camberwell and Peckham”. The panel decided to honour Marvi Memon after reviewing all the nominations.
Moreover, it was “Right Honourable gentleman, the Member for Gordon, who nominated Memon.”
The MNA will be conferred with the award at a later date, according to the statement.
Responding to the news, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader thanked Minister of Finance, Prime Minister and President for their “unflinching support”.
We r lucky to hav had the unflinching support of Finance Minister, Prime Minister n Prez without which this wld hav been impossible. https://t.co/jqD7PzFZaC
— Marvi Memon (@marvi_memon) March 30, 2017
Honor4:Pak,PMLN,those who creatd BISP,Women of BISP,who inspire us2work 4democ,BISP&myself.Thanku Allah sain.Thanku @HouseofCommons.Humbled! pic.twitter.com/Jt2UX2VGY4
— Marvi Memon (@marvi_memon) March 30, 2017
