Speakers emphasise removing barriers for women’s empowerment

Islamabad : The speakers at International Women’s Day celebration events have emphasised on urgent need of removing all structural and social barriers that result as women’s political, social and economic dis-empowerment.

They shared these views with the participants of International Women’s Day celebrations. The event was held by Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) and Blue Veins in collaboration with Australian High Commission in Pakistan here on Thursday.

The event was organised to highlight the struggles of women to curb violence with strength despite many hardships and hence, their efforts to promote inclusivity in Pakistan. The event was held with assistance of The Australian Government under a project “Policy advocacy and research to strengthen implementation of pro-women legislation and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response services “.

Women’s Day is a worldwide event that celebrates women’s achievements – from political to social level while calling for gender equality. It has been observed since the early 1900s and is now recognised each year on March 8. This year UN theme for International Women’s Day 2019, is “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. The theme focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.

The Australian High commissioner Margaret Adamson, while speaking on the occasion, said “International Women’s Day comes on the heels of unprecedented global movement for women’s rights, equality and justice. Sexual harassment, violence and discrimination against women has captured headlines and public discourse, propelled by a rising determination for change.” She added “International Women’s Day is an opportunity to transform this momentum into action, to empower women in all settings, rural and urban, and celebrate the activists who are working relentlessly to claim women’s rights and realise their full potential.”

Senator (r) Farhatullah Babar, while highlighting all sorts of discriminations and violence against women across Pakistan, underpinned the urgent need of corrective steps to remove structural barriers that result as political, social and economic disempowerment of women. He said that the struggles of women’s rights in Pakistan have touched several

considerable landmarks. “However, we need drastic measures to ensure that women in Pakistan were no more subject to violence, discrimination and injustice.

Sadia Javed, convener of Women Parliamentary Caucus- Sindh Assembly lauded that Sindh has always been progressive in enacting pro women laws. We are committed to provide relief and protection to all women of Sindh and end every kind of discrimination against them.

Mehmood Jan, deputy speaker KP Assembly stated, “Gender equality, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to end the multiple forms of gender violence and secure equal access to quality education and health and recognize the women that help curb these issues”.

Maliha Asghar, Member of Provincial Assembly and Chairperson Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) said that women have come a long way when it comes to empowerment but a lot needs to be done. She said that awareness campaigns and events like these have started sensitizing the people on rights of women throughout the province.

Chief Executive SPO Saleem Malik opined that legislation on women rights still required on a number of accounts to protect women and girls in Pakistan. He said that the gaps in implementation also need to be redressed on priority basis.