Islamabad: A high-level regional conference, the ‘Regional Parliamentarians Conference on Gender Empowerment for a Green Economy,’ convened in Islamabad, underscored the critical role of gender equality and women’s empowerment in achieving sustainable and inclusive green economic goals. Key policymakers, international experts, and representatives from over 15 Asian countries gathered to discuss strategic integration of gender perspectives into environmental and economic policies.
According to Press Information Department, the conference, organized by the Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Ministry in collaboration with various international bodies including the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD), aimed to foster dialogue on enhancing the role of women in the green economy. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the interconnectedness of gender equality and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the necessity of integrating these goals to ensure effective policy outcomes.
The discussions at the conference focused on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the transition to a green economy, particularly the need for equitable participation of women. Speaker Sadiq lauded the efforts of the Parliament of Pakistan in advancing gender equality through legislation and dedicated parliamentary forums, noting significant national progress in sectors such as reproductive health and sustainable development.
Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam, articulated the transformative potential of the green economy, not only as an environmental initiative but as a means to address systemic societal inequalities. She stressed the pivotal role of women, who comprise half of the global population, in driving sustainable development and the importance of their involvement in decision-making processes to achieve long-term environmental goals.
Further international perspective was provided by Toshiko Abe San, Minister of State of Japan, who shared insights on Japan’s efforts to enhance women’s empowerment through its “Womenomics” initiative, which aims to boost economic growth by increasing female participation in the workforce and extending these principles to the green economy sector.
The conference also heard from Deputy Representative of UNFPA Pakistan, Ms. Latika Maskey Pradhan, who called on the parliamentarians to champion women’s empowerment as essential to the success of the green economy. She highlighted the persistent challenges of gender inequality, emphasizing the role of political will in creating environments where women can fully contribute to sustainable development.
Dr. Tabinda Sarosh, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Pathfinder International, emphasized the integration of gender equality in environmental and climate change policies. She advocated for a concerted effort by policymakers to implement relevant laws that enhance socio-economic empowerment for women in Asia, linking sustainable development with population management and resilience against climate crises.
The conference concluded with a unified call for continued and enhanced efforts to integrate gender considerations into all aspects of climate-related policies and actions, ensuring that women are not only beneficiaries but also leaders in the drive towards a sustainable and equitable green economy.