Islamabad (VOM) : Center of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR) launched the National Gender Policy -2023 zoom meeting on aimed at providing conducive environment to the women to excel and empower them.
Mushaal Hussain Mullick (Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Human Rights), the key note speaker at a Consultative Session on National Gender Policy webinar said today we stand with you a great sense, purpose and unity on Gander Policy. We have to joint hands to neglected efforts to discuss the National Gander Policy. Previous Policy have few gapes and we search for the best possible solutions.
Today we together to address the gender equality and suggest the affective strategy to this dialogue forum. Our aim to develop comprehensive policy for gender development and women empowerment. She said Gender base violence has no space in the society.
Chairing the launching event, President COPAIR, Ms. Amna Munnawar Awan elaborates the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment By Center of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR). E-Women Global network , Policy Advocacy of National Gender Policy for Pakistan.
She emphasized the Agenda, Policy Advocacy of Gender Equality and Gender Empowerment, Access to Basic Human Rights, Political Participation in Decision Making, Women Security in rules and regulations.
President COPAIR also discussed the key forums like, Dialogue Forum Policy Brief contribution Join E Women Global Network.
She attribute the global recognition and success of Pakistan’s women owing to playing key role the field.
Dr. Shabana Fayyaz, ( Advisor to COPAIR, Chairperson Defence & Strategic Studies Department, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. She presented that Constitutional Provision for Gender Equality Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees equal rights and opportunities for all citizens regardless of gender. Article 25(1) of the Constitution states that all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.
She discussed the basis of National Gender Policy Pakistan, Gender equality is key to sustainable development and is universally accepted as a critical factor in fostering peace, prosperity and justice across the board. National Gender Policy should be solution-driven not from one quarter of the society only but a distillation of proactive engagements across the board, on how to mainstream women that consist almost 50% of the country. This dialogue will focus on the three key areas that underpin Women and Gender Equality: Increasing women’s economic security and prosperity. Encouraging women’s leadership in the democratic process. Ending discrimination and violence against women and girls. Reflect on ways and means to instill gender-sensitive governance system & promote women empowerment in all sections of society.
Dr. Shabana Fayyaz, recommendations on gender issues the need for a Comprehensive Approach to address various aspects of Gender Inequality. To do this, laws should be reviewed, amended and enforcement ensured across the board. Nationwide awareness campaigns should be launched to raise awareness about Gender parity. Equal rights to education, health, economic empowerment and political participation should be promoted. Additionally, data collection, monitoring mechanisms and review of gender policies should be undertaken on regular basis.
Saira Faisal Syed is working as the Country Lead Digital Transformation for GSMA1 in Pakistan. She said GSMA looks forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Government of Pakistan and others who are doing impactful work, seeks to achieve digital gender equality and through this, to improve the livelihoods of millions around the world.
Pippa McDougall, (GSMA) She said Education and skill training are some of the best tools to build the capacity and self-confidence of women. She highlighted the technology to maintain the gender equality through in families, communities and professional roles, women’s perspectives, skills and experiences bring important value – strengthening societies, building economies, advancing knowledge and ultimately improving livelihoods. “Bridging Mobile Gender Gap”, an insightful topic and cutting-edge updates regarding this critical topic.
Fajer Rabia Pasha (Executive director of Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education). Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE) have agreed to collaborate to improve the status of girls’ education through innovative programs, projects, and research methodologies.
She said girls education is regarded as one of the pivotal factors for political, social and economic development of a society and our religion Islam is the proponent of peace and education without gender discrimination. If girls are neglected, maltreated and denied basic education, then our future would not be optimistic.
Muhammad Ali Kamal said that Its good initiative and Ministry is working on it. We have many programmes for Gender equality, education training etc. We need better governance and policy on Gender policy, UN Women and NCSW are collaborating on it.
Barira Hanif (Gender Specialist). She brief about the Gender equality create entrreneurship opportunities for females by enhancing local capacities and generating synergies across the ecosystem and Tackle gender stereotypes in the workplace to promote female-friendly policies. Increase awareness around pro-women legislation and policies through proactive pushing of content on public sector websites and integrated women helpline for information, support and emergency call (family laws, inheritence laws etc.).
National Level Mapping of all the key initiatives on gender taken by Federal Ministries, Provincial govts. And other affiliated organizations, with NGPF and formulate an overview to identify gaps and areas of interventions. This mapping will be done through extensive meetings and data collection from the network of key focal persons.
Afsheen Zeshan (Lawyer/Expert) She said Gender-responsive social protection can also improve women’s access to and control over income and assets, strengthen social networks and improve women’s public, economic, social and political status.
She said we are facing problems during the implemented the National Gender Policy, even we can’t maintain the Gender equality in Pakistan in jobs, education, Govt departments and facing the status quo, and it’s a big issue in the rural areas where women rights are not protecting them.
Sam Ali Dada (Advisor on Gender Inclusivity to SAPM on Human Rights Empowerment) She emphasized that working on Women’s rights at grass root level is necessary. Her focus is to advance the impact, growth, and sustainability of digital economies by collaboration between the mobile industry, policymakers, and ecosystem.
Women’s political participation is one of the most crucial indicators of women’s empowerment. Over the years, numerous measures have been introduced in the country to enhance women’s political role, but a wide gender gap still exists. The systematic subordination of women is the basis of gender discrimination in our society, creating a gender gap in each sphere of life for women. Some of the main reasons for women’s low political participation and voter turnout include community decisions to bar women from voting, issues in getting CNICs and registering votes, low literacy rates, lack of civic education, and the distance of polling stations.
She said lot of women in Sindh don’t have NADRA cards, they are disconnected from society, so we need justice at grass root level. Women and girls empowerment is necessary, she said.
Shujaat Farooq (PIDE School of Economics), said we need to create opportunities for women and give access to resources because they are dependent on family, lot of rules and barriers are hurdle in their ways. Women empowerment is one of the essential components of poverty reduction and growth intervention promoting good governance and encouraging economic development.
Zarena Zubari, (UN Women Pakistan) : Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth. Women are key agents for achieving the transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development. Women make enormous contributions to economies, whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home. But they also remain disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination and exploitation. Gender discrimination means that women often end up in insecure, low-wage jobs, and constitute a small minority of those in senior positions.
Sabhat Bukhari (Jazz Pakistan) She said that policy focus on nation, gender equality. Jazz focus on nation wide agenda for gender balance to providing the access. Access to financial, educational, digital and all others Jazz is equalizer rights for all.
Anza Saqib Akhund (Plicy Analyst), Past experiences of conflicts are proof of their disproportionately negative impact on women’s safety, freedom of movement, access to education, health and economic empowerment. The recent floods serve as a case in point, pushing back many of the gains made by the women in Pakistan in over a decade. The realities of climate-induced displacement, economic hardships and unraveling of women’s social fabric fuse together and shake the foundation of life as they knew it.
Sabien Hussain Mullick (Peace & Culture organisation ) on the occasion said Gender equality goals implementation are part of our agenda. We raise the voice from IIOJK to Palestine for their right around the globe. The Govt has taken numerous measures to resolve the special issues faced by the women besides providing conducive working atmosphere to the women and girls to increase share of women in the country’s development process.
Mr. M Zahid highlited that how to improve the Gender base issues in corporate level under the national action plan and policy. We research and produce the data and interpret the result, Gander case studies, and provide good plate forum.