The Senate unanimously approved a resolution on Saturday that recognizes the persistent disparities and challenges faced by women and girls in the country and recommend the government to take “accelerated measures to guarantee and improve the economic inclusion of women” on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The global Gender Gap 2023 index, published by the World Economic Forum, classifies Pakistan 142 of 146 countries and as one of the worst performance countries in gender parity, with gloomy literacy rates and deserting of secondary school, and an old climate of disdain towards women’s education.
The 2020-21 workforce survey showed that female participation was 15.5 percent. In 2024, the Ministry of Human Rights said that in the last three years, 63,000 cases of violence against women were reported; Most cases, unfortunately, do not come to light.
The PPP senator, Sherry Rehman, transferred the resolution in the Senate, stating that development in all sectors was not possible without the total inclusion of women.
According to a copy of the resolution, seen by Dawn.com – The Senate recognized the “disparities and persistent challenges faced by women and girls […] including, among others, economic, social and political barriers that hinder their full participation and contribution to society. ”
The resolution acknowledged that the country classified 145 of 146 countries in the gender gap index of the World Economic Forum, indicating a significant gender gap and a 2023 decrease.
The Senate recommended that the government take accelerated measures to guarantee and improve the economic inclusion of women.
The resolution required “forging the economic empowerment of women by increasing financial inclusion, expanding access to credit and business resources, and promoting business spirit to create sustainable economic opportunities for women.”
“Ensure that women have the right to make health decisions and not be forced to marry while minors,” he added.
The resolution said that the government should help women and girls make informed decisions about their health by reforming medical care policies, guaranteeing access to reproductive health services and prioritizing mental and maternal medical care.
“Ensure women’s access to legal rights, information on their rights and timely action for the prosecution of crimes against women, including political victims,” demanded resolution.
“Ensuring action on gender -based violence and sexual harassment in the victim’s workplace,” he said, asking the government to guarantee crimes based on the so -called “honor” were severely penalized by law.
“Recruiting, retaining and developing and investing in women’s talent strengthening the policies that promote equity in the workplace, guarantee fair and equal wages, and implement programs to support professional progress and leadership development,” he requested.
He asked to support women and girls in leadership, decision -making, business and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) through strategic tutoring programs, scholarships and educational reforms that broke barriers for professional progress.
“Infrastructure design and construction that meets the needs of women and girls improving transportation security, child care facilities in the workplace and access to digital and financial resources to support economic participation.
“Involve women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security through technical training equipment, land rights and access to agricultural financing to improve their role in climate resilience and food sustainability,” said other points of the resolution.
The resolution also required women and girls access to education and quality training by “eliminating barriers to schooling, promoting literacy programs and guaranteeing digital access for the construction of skills and learning of a lifetime.”
He said that the government should raise “participation and achievement in sports by increasing investment in female athletes, guaranteeing equal opportunities and breaking gender stereotypes in competitive sports.”
He requested the promotion of creative and artistic talent by “supporting women in arts, literature and cultural industries through financing, tutoring and public platforms for expression.”
“Addressing new areas that support the progress of women and girls, including legal protections against discrimination, the strongest application of salary equality and initiatives that amplify women’s voices in the media and policy formulation,” he demanded.
The Senate also asked all those interested to join the “collective search for gender equality and the empowerment of women, recognizing that only through bold, decisive and sustained efforts we can build a more inclusive, equitable and fair society for all.
“These measures emphasize the importance of accelerating the action for gender equality, as highlighted by the issue for International Women’s Day 2025, according to the priority of the 69th UN Commission on the state of women aimed at advancing in gender equality and the empowerment of women through economic inclusion for women and girls in the world world,” he said.
PM promises a mission of gender equality and empowerment of women
Separately, addressing an event on International Women’s Day in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that women’s empowerment could only be achieved by providing them with the same access to education, the development of skills and employment opportunities while reaffirming their commitment to gender equality.
The Prime Minister said it was the government’s mission and unwavering commitment to guarantee the emancipation of the country’s female population by launching the first gender parity report in the capital, which identified recommended challenges and solutions in key areas such as education, health, governance, political representation and justice.
According ApplicationThe prime minister said that his government would collaborate with the provinces for collective action to promote the integration of women into programs that contribute to the national economy.
He announced that he would establish a endowment for working women in an attempt to support working women and help them compete with contemporary challenges.
Shehbaz described the women’s empowerment package as a revolutionary step to eliminate discrimination against women in areas of employment and to make special provisions to provide facilities along with men.
“Our population of 50 % women can become a productive workforce if you are given a level game field,” he said.
To facilitate working women, the prime minister stressed that the nursery centers were established in public and private departments in Islamabad, with a plan to further expand the scope of the facilities.
The prime minister regretted that a large number of women highly qualified in the country stop professional careers in their struggle to balance work and families, which resulted in a great loss of qualified human resources.
“My message to educated [women] The segment is to present and join hospitals, banks and other professions of their experience to positively contribute to a stronger economy, ”he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz paid tribute to women who played a prominent role in the configuration of the female empowerment landscape.
“These daughters of the nation are a notable symbol of the empowerment of women who left their mark on their respective fields,” he said.
The prime minister recalled the steps taken for the emancipation of women, including the establishment of the first anti-violence centers of Punjab for women, an improved fee of women in joints of government departments, a greater stipend for students of girls and putting in the end of child labor in Brick-Kilns when they register 90,000 children from this type to schools.
Separately, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, said that the government remained firmly committed to empowering women through equitable access to education, extended economic opportunities and progressive political opportunities.
“We deeply value the fundamental role of women in various fields, including diplomacy, governance, business and beyond and recognize its immense contributions to the development of our nation,” he said in a message about the observance of International Women’s Day.
“By promoting an inclusive and supporting environment, we strive to ensure that each woman has the opportunity to make their maximum potential and participate significantly in our collective progress,” he added.
On this day, the government celebrated and honored the notable contributions of women in all spheres of life, observing that women in Pakistan and worldwide played an indispensable role in the configuration of societies, promoting progress and inspiring future generations.
“His resilience, dedication and extraordinary achievements are a testimony of their strength and are still a deep source of pride for our nation,” he said cited.
FM Dar asked for an unwavering commitment to gender equality and the progress of women’s rights.
“A society that elevates and empowers its women is one that thrives. Together, we must continue breaking barriers, challenge obsolete stereotypes and build a future where women and men stop as equal partners on the trip to prosperity and progress, ”he said.
