Islamabad: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his commitment to gender equality, emphasizing that true empowerment of women could only be realized through equitable access to education, skill development, and employment opportunities.
Addressing a gathering in Islamabad, the premier declared women’s emancipation a national mission and pledged unwavering efforts toward ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all. The event, organized at the Prime Minister’s House by the Ministry of Human Rights and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), brought together prominent women from diverse fields, including government officials, legislators, entrepreneurs, and activists.
A significant highlight of the event was the launch of Islamabad’s first-ever Gender Parity Report, prepared jointly by NCSW and UNFPA. This report identifies key challenges and proposes solutions in areas such as education, health, governance, political participation, and justice to advance gender equality in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Sharif announced plans to establish a Working Women’s Endowment Fund, designed to support and uplift working women, enabling them to navigate contemporary professional challenges effectively. He described the PM’s Women Empowerment Package as a landmark initiative aimed at eliminating workplace discrimination and ensuring equitable facilities for women in the workforce.
“Our women, who make up nearly 50 percent of the population, can become a vital force in driving economic progress if provided with equal opportunities,” he stated. He further highlighted initiatives such as the establishment of daycare centers in public and private institutions in Islamabad, with plans for further expansion to facilitate working mothers.
Acknowledging the struggles faced by many highly-qualified women who leave their professions due to familial responsibilities, he encouraged them to re-enter the workforce and contribute to the nation’s economic growth. “I urge educated women to step forward and actively participate in sectors such as healthcare, finance, and technology,” he said.
The prime minister paid tribute to the trailblazing women who have played a pivotal role in shaping Pakistan’s history, including Fatima Jinnah, Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan, Benazir Bhutto, Begum Nusrat Bhutto, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, Bilquis Edhi, Dr. Ruth Pfau, Asma Jahangir, Arfa Karim, Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Punjab’s first female Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Lahore High Court’s first female Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, and Supreme Court Justice Ayesha Malik. He praised their contributions as symbols of resilience and empowerment.
Reflecting on past initiatives during his party’s tenure, he highlighted measures such as Punjab’s first anti-violence centers for women, increased female representation in government boards, higher stipends for girl students, and efforts to eradicate child labor by enrolling thousands of children from brick kilns into schools.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, speaking at the event, noted that under PM Sharif’s directive, government ministries had been tasked with ensuring gender-inclusive policies. He pointed out that this initiative had led to increased female representation in decision-making bodies. However, he also acknowledged the need to challenge Pakistan’s low ranking on the Global Gender Gap Index, calling for a reassessment of data to better reflect the country’s progress.
UN Resident Coordinator Mohamed Yahya emphasized that gender equality should not be viewed as a women’s issue alone but as a fundamental human rights matter. He stressed that the Gender Parity Report would serve as a crucial tool in addressing existing disparities.
Dr. Nafisa Shah, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming, highlighted the persistent underrepresentation of women in governmental and institutional roles, stressing the importance of achieving the targeted 33 percent representation benchmark for effective governance.
NCSW Chairperson Umme-e-Laila acknowledged the progress made by women in various sectors and highlighted initiatives such as Pink Buses for female commuters and the ‘Women on Wheels’ project, which provides training to promote independent mobility for women.
Additionally, Akif Saeed, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), announced that private companies implementing family-friendly workplace policies would be recognized under the PM’s Women Empowerment Package. These companies would serve as role models in fostering a safe and inclusive work environment.
As part of the event, the prime minister presented Family-Friendly Workplace Awards to 10 private companies, including Alpha Beta Core Solutions, Arfa Karim Technology Incubator, Aviation MRO, Blink Capital, Funverks Global, Gift Educational, Kistpay, Laiba Enterprises, Ladies Fund Energy, and Li & Fung Pakistan. These companies were selected through a transparent evaluation process based on an online survey conducted in collaboration with UN Women and the Pakistan Business Council.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment to bridging gender gaps, fostering a culture of equality, and ensuring that women are provided the necessary resources and support to thrive in every aspect of society.
