Minister of State for Human Rights Barrister Zafarullah Khan has said that various existing laws have been changed and new laws have been enacted to protect and enable women to realize their rights on equitable basis. He also said that Pakistan has established autonomous Commissions on the Status of Women at the federal and provincial levels. Women Development Departments have been set up at provincial levels to work for betterment of women. Ombudsperson mechanisms have been set up to exclusively deal with cases involving women rights, says a press release received here today from New York.
The state Minister said this while addressing the 60th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at UN Headquarters, New York.
The state Minister noted that the theme of 60th Session has been prudently chosen to connect women empowerment with 2030 development Agenda. The 2030 Agenda is all-inclusive and embodies aspirations of women of the world for a life of equality and dignity. He also stressed that Proper implementation of the 2030 Agenda will be crucial to fully realizing objectives of Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action adding that Pakistan had supported Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals from the very beginning. We are determined to achieve it.
“Government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is pursuing an integrated policy, which, is underpinned by legal, institutional, and administrative measures, to ensure timely and effective progress in all areas of concern adding that at the apex level, women empowerment has been included in the long-term national planning framework, known as Vision 2025.”, remarked the state Minister.
The state Minister emphasized that Vision 2025 commits to pursue women empowerment as a key priority area across all sectors of planning and development. It focuses on providing an enabling environment to every woman to develop her full potential and to equally share benefits of economic and social development.
Minister of state in his address apprised that government of Pakistan has undertaken practical measures to convert dream of gender equality into reality adding that Prime Minister has launched special initiatives for women development including provision of interest free loans, better educational facilities, skill development, and health cover.
“Our government has recently approved an ambitious National Action Plan to promote human rights in the country. The Plan sets out four key priority areas of gender equality, with special focus on protection of women from all forms of violence. These practical measures demonstrate a strong commitment of Pakistan to protect, promote and empower women to become equal and dignified citizens. ”, added the Minister of State.
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