PR No. 60 MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 8TH MARCH, 2017 Islamabad: March 7, 2017.

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 08-03-2017

MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 8TH MARCH, 2017

 

Islamabad: March 7, 2017

 

            Today we celebrate, with pride, the 106th International Women’s Day. This day recognizes the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of women, both within the family and at the workplace.

As early as 1944, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, our founding father stated that “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you”. The Government of Pakistan is working hard to make this vision a concrete reality.

Pakistan has ratified seven Core Human Rights Conventions and is signatory to CEDAW and the MDGS. The Government is working hard to implement its international commitments through Treaty Implementation Cells that have been set up all Federal and Provincial levels.

Over the years the Government has set up a Women Bank, women police stations, establishment of a National Commission on Human Rights, a permanent National Commission on the Status of Women, introduction of 33% reserved seats for women in local councils and 17% quota of reserved seats for women in national and provincial legislatures. The 11th Five Year Plan (2013-18) strongly focuses on women’s empowerment and their socio-economic development.

The Ministry of Human Rights is also mandated to give a new and holistic human rights perspective to governance structures and institutions. The National Action Plan for Human Rights is an ambitious programme for the advancement of women in all spheres. It includes legislative, policy and implementation strategies, including human rights education, sensitization, research and communication.

Ministry also operates legal support services for women in need. This includes a helpline for legal advice and the establishment of an Endowment Fund for free Legal Aid. A women’s shelter in Islamabad also provides protection, shelter and psychological aid to women in distress and under threat.

The Government of Pakistan is committed to undertake every effort to provide a safe environment to the women of Pakistan. With the support and synergized effort of all stakeholders; legislature, judiciary, executive, civil society and media we can certainly achieve a bold transformation in the status of the women of our country. It is only with collaborative partnerships and information dissemination that women can be empowered to take their rightful place in society and the economy of our country.

 

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NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 08-03-2017

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