Events mark International Women Day

Islamabad: A number of events were organised in Islamabad to join international community in commemoration of International Women Day.

In this connection, a conference was organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) titled ‘Women in Public Life: Breaking the Barriers’. The conference called upon all branches of the states to ensure due representation for women in positions of power in the public institutions and arena.  The conference was attended by prominent speakers from diverse backgrounds, including Asma Jahangir, Sarkar Abbas, Afrasiab Khattak, Fauzia Saeed, Farzana Bari and Bushra Gohar. The conference concluded with the participants adopting the resolution reminding government of the equality guaranteed in the constitution and commitments made to international community.

The statement also demands the government to address dismal proportion of women’s representation, in positions of power and leadership which is among the lowest in the world. It admires women’s courage and tenacity to defy gender stereotypes and structural barriers besides urging state institutions to establish gender balance in government bodies and committees at all levels.

In another event organised in connection with International Women Day, the UN Information Centre and the British High Commission paid tribute the outstanding female journalists working in Pakistan, at a ‘Women in the Media’ roundtable where women journalists with different backgrounds talked about their jobs, commitment, challenges and dangers they face.

The event was attended by high profile guests including representatives from media, diplomatic community, government and academia and development sector. British High Commissioner-Designate to Pakistan, Thomas Drew and Director UN Information Centre, Vittorio Cammarota besides other high profile guests and media representatives spoke on the occasion.

Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy (PODA) in collaboration with American Embassy also organised a seminar titled ‘Celebrating the Resilience and Achievements of Pakistani Women'. Speaking on this occasion, Chairperson National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) Justice (Retd) Ali Nawaz Chowhan said women should be aware of their legal rights and should be ensured equal opportunities in all walks of life without.

Director PODA, Samina Nazir said the status of women in Pakistan is improving due to the untiring efforts of civil society, government and international organizations. She said it is a continuous journey and women participation in different fields is raising day by day.