ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during an event marking International Women’s Day on Saturday, reaffirmed his commitment to promoting gender equality in Pakistan. Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister emphasized that true women’s empowerment can only be achieved through equal access to education, skill development, and employment opportunities. He declared that empowering women is a mission his government is unwaveringly committed to, stressing the importance of ensuring the full participation of the country’s female population in all sectors.
The event, which took place at the Prime Minister’s House, was attended by prominent women from various walks of life, including cabinet members, legislators, entrepreneurs, and activists. The Ministry of Human Rights and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) organized the event in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
One of the key highlights of the event was the launch of Islamabad’s first-ever Gender Parity Report, a collaborative effort between NCSW and UNFPA. The report identifies key challenges faced by women in Pakistan in areas such as education, health, governance, political representation, and justice, while also offering recommendations for overcoming these barriers.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged to work with the provincial governments to enhance women’s participation in economic programs. In line with this commitment, he announced the establishment of a Working Women’s Endowment Fund, aimed at helping women overcome challenges in the workplace. The fund is expected to be a key resource for supporting women in the workforce, making it easier for them to navigate the obstacles they face while maintaining their professional careers.
“We believe that if our female population is provided with a level playing field, they can become a highly productive workforce,” said PM Shehbaz, reinforcing his commitment to empowering women economically.
In addition to the endowment fund, the Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s initiative to establish daycare centers in both public and private departments across Islamabad. These centers are designed to support working women by providing them with facilities to balance their professional and personal responsibilities. There are plans to expand this initiative further, ensuring more women have access to these vital services.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged a significant issue facing women in Pakistan: highly qualified women quitting their careers to manage household responsibilities, resulting in a considerable loss of skilled human resources. He expressed regret over this trend and emphasized the need for continued support for women in the workforce.
PM Shehbaz also paid tribute to the women who have made significant contributions to Pakistan’s empowerment agenda, such as Fatima Jinnah, Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Bilquis Edhi, Dr. Ruth Pfau, and Asma Jahangir, among others. These women are celebrated for their pioneering roles in the fight for gender equality and social justice.
During the event, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar reported that, in line with the Prime Minister’s directives, ministries and departments had been tasked with ensuring the inclusion of women in their policies, resulting in an increased representation of women on departmental boards. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that Pakistan ranks 145th out of 146 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index, calling for a reassessment of the ranking, as it does not reflect the country’s ongoing efforts for gender equality.
UN Resident Coordinator Mohamed Yahya reaffirmed the United Nations’ support for Pakistan in its journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on gender equality. He emphasized that gender equality should be seen as a human issue rather than a women-specific one.
Chairwoman of the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming, Dr. Nafisa Shah, highlighted the importance of increasing women’s representation in government bodies. She stressed the need for greater inclusion of women in governance and policymaking, as their participation is vital for building a more inclusive and just society.
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Chairman, Akif Saeed, also spoke about the Prime Minister’s Women Empowerment Package, which recognizes private companies that implement family-friendly workplace policies. At the event, the Prime Minister presented Family-Friendly Workplace Awards to 10 exemplary companies, including Alpha Beta Core Solutions, Arfa Karim Technology Incubator, and Aviation MRO, recognizing them for their efforts to support working families.
Additionally, PM Shehbaz announced a major initiative to integrate women in cottage industries and small businesses into the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector. At a meeting in Lahore, the Prime Minister directed authorities to provide essential capital and facilities to businesswomen in the cottage industry, emphasizing the importance of women’s economic empowerment.
He also announced measures to offer low-cost loans to women through the Youth Loan Scheme, aimed at helping them expand their businesses. The government will establish facilitation centers and training institutes to support women entrepreneurs, ensuring that they have access to resources to help grow their businesses. A special committee will also be formed to develop a comprehensive plan to empower women through business opportunities.
With these bold steps, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is reaffirming his commitment to creating an environment where women have equal access to opportunities and can thrive in both the workforce and the business world. The government’s initiatives underscore the importance of gender equality in achieving economic growth and social progress in Pakistan.