Islamabad, In celebration of International Women’s Day, Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Deputy Speaker, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, stressed the importance of women’s empowerment and inclusion in Pakistan’s development narrative. Recognizing women’s pivotal role in societal advancement, both leaders called for their economic independence and active participation in all sectors to foster a progressive society.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, Speaker Sadiq, in his message, underscored the necessity of providing equal opportunities for women, stating that their empowerment is critical for the nation’s prosperity. He advocated for global efforts and effective legislation to combat discrimination and violence against women, aiming to secure their rights fully.
Sadiq also highlighted the importance of changing negative perceptions about women’s rights and promoting their economic involvement. He pledged to continue advocating for measures to ensure women’s rightful place in society. The Speaker pointed to the significant representation of women in Pakistan’s Parliament and the recent election of Ms. Maryam Nawaz as the Chief Minister of Punjab as evidence of women’s growing influence in political and developmental arenas.
Deputy Speaker Shah emphasized that the inclusion of women, who constitute more than half of Pakistan’s population, is indispensable for the country’s prosperity. He referenced the Constitution of Pakistan’s commitment to protecting women’s rights and lauded the contributions of historic female leaders to the nation’s progress. Shah expressed optimism that the newly elected Parliament would implement policies for women’s welfare and mainstream inclusion.
The leaders’ statements on International Women’s Day reflect Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing the role of women in shaping a more inclusive and prosperous society.
Islamabad, The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Japan have successfully wrapped up a humanitarian project aimed at providing essential services to over half a million people in Sindh and Balochistan, regions severely affected by the devastating floods of 2022.
According to Embassy of Japan in Pakistan, the Japanese government contributed $1.85 million in support of UNFPA’s efforts to deliver critical sexual and reproductive health services and gender-based violence response initiatives in seven districts of the flood-ravaged provinces. The project was operational in Qambar Shahdadkot, Naushahro Feroz, Khairpur, Larkana, and Dadu districts of Sindh, and Lasbela and Jhal Magsi districts in Balochistan.
H.E. Wada Mitsuhiro, the Ambassador of Japan, highlighted the urgency of the initiative at the project’s closing ceremony, noting the increased vulnerabilities of pregnant women and the heightened risks of gender-based violence due to the floods. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to ensuring women’s human rights and combating gender-based violence, emphasizing the importance of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda for sustainable development.
Dr. Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA Representative, stressed the disproportionate impact of disasters on women and girls, underscoring the silent suffering that often goes unnoticed. He expressed gratitude for Japan’s support, which prioritized the urgent needs of women and girls in the affected areas.
Dr. Sabina Durrani, Director General of the National Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Network, lauded the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and Japan, acknowledging Japan’s consistent support during crises. She called for a proactive investment in preparedness and resilience to minimize emergency response costs. Dr. Durrani also commended UNFPA’s contributions to maternal health and family planning in Pakistan.
The collaborative project resulted in the establishment of twelve Women and Girl’s Friendly Spaces (WGFS), offering psycho-social support and referrals for protection services. Additionally, thirty-seven health facilities received vital equipment and supplies, facilitating over 15,000 safe deliveries and providing contraceptive commodities to more than 50,000 women. Nearly 450,000 individuals received information on health services, gender-based violence, and family planning. The distribution of women dignity kits and newborn baby kits further underscored the project’s comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of women and girls in the aftermath of the floods.