Pakistan

President, PM vow to advance gender equality on International Women’s Day

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Digital Desk

1 year ago

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed commitment to empower every woman to help her achieve full potential and called for taking more steps to further improve policies to support women’s safety, education, and economic independence.

In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed resolve to intensify efforts to further advance respect for women’s rights, adding that women’s empowerment could only be achieved by providing them an equal access to education, skill development and employment opportunities.

He pledged to build a Pakistan where every woman’s potential is realized and every daughter’s dream is within her reach.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan made significant strides in advancing women’s rights through concerted efforts, including policy interventions, legal reforms, and institutional support.

“It’s our mission and an unwavering commitment to ensure emancipation of the country’s female population,” he said in his address here at an event of International Women’s Day, marked globally on 8^th March to celebrate the achievements of women and to make a call for their rights.

Prominent women from diverse fields including cabinet members, legislators, entrepreneurs and activists joined the event at the Prime Minister’s House, which was organized by Ministry of Human Rights and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The prime minister, on the occasion, launched the capital’s first-ever Gender Parity Report prepared by NCSW and UNFPA, which identifies challenges and recommends solutions in key areas such as education, health, governance, political representation and justice.

PM Sharif said his government would collaborate with provinces for a collective action to promote women’s integration in programmes contributing to the national economy.

He announced to establish a Working Women’s Endowment Fund in a bid to support working women and help them compete with the contemporary challenges.

He termed the PM’s Women Empowerment Package a “revolutionary step in eliminating discrimination against women” in areas of employment and for making special provisions to provide them facilities at par with men.

“Our fifty percent women population can be turned into a productive workforce if given a level-playing field,” he said.

President resolves to advance women’s rights

President Asif Ali Zardari in his message on the occasion of International Women’s Day today, said that Pakistan is committed to advancing women’s rights in line with our constitutional provisions and international commitments.

Highlighting the steps taken by Pakistan to women’s empowerment, the President said that key steps were taken, including the enactment of laws against domestic violence, workplace harassment, and gender-based discrimination.

“Today, Pakistan joins the world in celebrating International Women’s Day to highlight women’s resilience and their contributions to shaping societies and driving progress.”

This year’s theme, “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”, reinforced the need for collective action to ensure that every woman and girl had equal access to rights and opportunities, he added.

The President said, Women constitute almost half of our population and empowering them is essential for our national progress. Societies that provide equal rights and opportunities for women are more prosperous, peaceful, and resilient.

To facilitate working women, he highlighted that daycare centres were set up across public and private departments in Islamabad, with a plan to further expand the scope of facilities.

He said, “Over the years, we have taken key steps, including the enactment of laws against domestic violence, workplace harassment, and gender-based discrimination. Similarly, specialised courts and helplines for survivors of gender-based violence have strengthened protections. Pakistan has taken steps to increase women’s representation in politics, judiciary, law enforcement, and public institutions, besides undertaking economic initiatives to promote financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy for women.”

Digital Desk