Pakistan has demanded “unwavering and wholehearted” worldwide commitment to ensure gender equality, the empowerment of women and the execution of anti-poverty Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Pakistani delegate Allah Dino Khowaja told the UN Commission on the Status of Women, “at this turning point, we must renew our commitment to ensuring that every woman and girl can live with dignity and equality.”
addressing during a broad discussion on the execution of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which supports more equality and opportunities for women and men as well as girls and boys, Khowaja, the Federal Secretary for Human Rights, was addressing.
Though he said the Beijing Platform for Action is among the “most comprehensive and transformative” models for advancing women’s rights, social and structural problems still impede effective implementation of this framework.
Khowaja said Pakistan is still dedicated to enable women in all spheres of life.
“In our pursuit of gender equality and women empowerment, Pakistan is guided by our constitutional obligation, international commitments and above all the vision of our founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who rightfully said, ‘No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you’,” the Pakistani delegate remarked.
He said Pakistan has passed progressive laws and policies to guarantee women’s rights, give equal opportunity, and guarantee their full involvement in national life.
In this sense, Khowaja said Pakistan has given political empowerment and participation top priority; seats for women Parliament, provincial assemblies guarantee their presence at all tiers of decision-making.
“(We) proudly share that Pakistan, being Islamic country, had Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto as first democratically elected women Prime Minister, with the Chief Minister of the largest Province (Punjab), Chief Justice of Punjab High Court, Foreign Secretary, and Judges of Supreme Court.”
Khowaja added that women still hold leadership roles in big businesses and government service. He also highlighted the recently introduced women empowerment package of the Prime Minister guaranteeing 33% women representation in all administrative and statutory bodies, financial institutions, while guaranteeing legal framework for safeguarding of property rights.
