Roundtable dialogue stresses need for greater participation of women in all levels of public policy

A roundtable consultative dialogue titled ‘Women’s Road to Parliament’ was held at a hotel in Karachi on Tuesday, featuring women leaders from the corporate and business sector, media and academia, among others.

The event was organized by the Karachi German consulate and the marketing company New World Concepts (NWC). At the outset of the programme, NWC CEO Yasmin Hyder stated that the objectives to support women’s economic empowerment, promote civic engagement, and foster capacity development drove this roundtable dialogue.

Consul General of Germany Dr Rudiger Lotz delivered the presiding address, emphasizing the importance of significantly increasing the proportion of women in political life to consider the interests of all people, both men and women, in decision-making processes.

The session discussed and explored challenges facing women leaders seeking greater participation in public policymaking, aiming to encourage positive change in difficult times and empower the next generation of female human capital in Pakistan.

Renate Kunast, member of the German Parliament and chair of the Parliamentary Group on South Asia, delivered a virtual address welcoming the dialogue and emphasizing the need for greater participation of women in all levels of public policy. She shared examples from Germany and the European Union, highlighting the role of women leaders from diverse sectors in the country’s decision-making.

One participant remarked that women are treated as properties, regardless of their success, and that this feeling is perpetuated by their husbands, fathers, and sons. She questioned the frequency of legislative actions by women for women in parliament, pointing out that political parties seemingly do not prioritize it. Describing the parliament as a scary place for women, she quoted someone saying, “Ama, you don’t know what kinds of emails I get.”

Anchorperson Sidra Iqbal said women feel frustrated and thanked social media for providing them space to express their sentiments. She emphasized that women face two choices when considering a decision: the matter at hand and what others will think about it.

In Chitral, she mentioned that 57% of voters were women, making them kingmakers. She criticized TV commercials for portraying women as happy tractor drivers while, in reality, they engage in both unpaid and paid work.

Another speaker advocated for more female ministers, especially in areas where policymakers need to understand women’s vulnerability. She praised the State Bank of Pakistan and First Lady of Pakistan Samina Alvi for initiatives supporting financial inclusion but lamented the lack of ramps and braille for disabled persons at many banks, emphasizing the need for disability inclusion.

A participant discussed how class structure can make women avoid societal challenges and stressed the importance of parents teaching their sons about gender equality. She emphasized that media plays a significant role in encouraging women, highlighting the changing mindset at the grassroots level. She contrasted the reverence for figures like Fatima Jinnah and Rana Liaquat with the current focus on expensive fashion choices.

Nargis Soorti of Soorti Foundation highlighted the lack of dedicated toilets for women in public and workspaces. She mentioned that during a campaign in the Korangi area, men stated that their women do not leave their homes, noting that such challenges are not unique to Pakistan but exist globally.

Hina Usman of ICAP discussed the evolution of attitudes towards women working from home, noting a positive shift during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Tanveer Khalid emphasized the importance of mind-changing starting from home and the necessity of eradicating poverty before imparting education to underprivileged women.

Dr Nausheen Wasi addressed participants’ concerns about entering politics, emphasizing the need to contextualize problems. She pointed out the historical reasons behind women seeking jobs instead of careers, highlighting that female participation in the labour market often stemmed from necessity.

She opined that literacy alone has not changed mindsets, and empowered women may struggle to handle their empowerment. She emphasized the insignificance of power without authority and expressed concern about the limited change in education since the creation of Pakistan, suggesting a need for broader reforms.

Additionally, Fauzia Kehar, a banker, shared her insights on the need for greater representation of women in leadership positions. She emphasized the importance of fostering belief in their potential and empowering them for national-level public participation.

Ronak Lakhani, chairperson of Special Olympics Pakistan, provided detailed insights into the significance of inclusion for all and stressed the importance of embracing diversity. Lakhani highlighted the path towards building a stronger and more supportive community for women’s empowerment in Pakistan.

Nazafreen Saigol underscored the importance of women leaders embracing greater participation in public policy and decision-making processes. Sabeen Jatoi and Sabina Khatri offered their perspectives on how the participation of women leaders in public life influences socio-economic and cultural norms.

Sarwat Gilani, a renowned actress and entrepreneur, added insights from the entertainment and entrepreneurial sectors. Their contributions further enriched the comprehensive exploration of career shifts for women during the roundtable dialogue.