The United Nations:
Pakistan has called for “unshakable and wholehearted” global obligation to ensure gender equality, empowerment of women, and the implementation of goals against poverty in sustainable development (SDG).
“At this central moment, we must renew our commitment to ensure that every woman and girl can live with dignity and equality,” Pakistani delegate Allah Dino Khowaja told the UN Commission on women’s status.
Khowaja, the Federal Secretary of Human Rights, spoke during a general debate on the implementation of the Beijing declaration of 1995 and platform for action that advocates for greater equality and opportunities for women and men as well as girls and boys.
He described the Beijing platform for action as one of the “most comprehensive and transformative” frameworks to promote women’s rights, but acknowledged that its full implementation remains a challenge due to social and structural issues that continue to hinder progress.
Khowaja said Pakistan remains obliged to strengthen women in all walks of life.
“In our persecution of gender equality between the sexes and women’s empowerment, Pakistan is led by our constitutional obligation, international obligations and above all the vision of our basic father, Quaid-E-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who appropriately said, ‘No nation can rise to the height of the glory unless your women are side by side with you,’ Pakistani delegate said.
Pakistan, he said, has passed progressive laws and policies to ensure the protection of women’s rights, provide equal opportunities and ensure their full participation in national life.
In this regard, Khowaja said Pakistan has prioritized political empowerment and participation, with places reserved for female parliament, provincial assemblies that ensure their representations at all decision levels.
“(VI) proudly shares that Pakistan, who was a Islamic country, had Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto as the first democratically elected female prime minister with chief minister of the greatest province (Punjab), Chief Justice of Punjab High Court, Foreign Secretary and Judge for the Supreme Court.”
Khowaja also said that women continue to occupy leadership positions in civilian bureaucracy and large business boards. He also drawn attention to the Prime Minister’s recently launched female empowerment package, which secured 33% women’s representation in all administrative and statutory bodies, financial institutions, while ensuring a legal framework to ensure protection of property rights.
