On International Women's Day (IWD) 2021, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar keynoted five virtual events worldwide. These were hosted by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC, Athena40, World Economic Forum and The Lancet. Paying rich tribute to rural and disadvantaged women in Ehsaas alongside senior global experts and panelists, Dr. Nishtar reflected on the Ehsaas 50% plus benefits policy for women at each of these virtual webinars. “Women’s empowerment is beneficial to Pakistan’s society and economy. Ehsaas is therefore, dedicated to fostering their full participation in all parts of life. The 50%+ benefits agenda of Ehsaas is squarely embedded in all Ehsaas programmes, policies and initiatives to impact the lives of disadvantaged women and girls”, said Dr. Nishtar. The women centered post-COVID strategy of Ehsaas was widely lauded internationally.
The commemorations of IWD began with the FAO’s webinar on, ‘Food Systems and Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world’. Dr. Nishtar was invited to keynote the event that celebrated the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world especially in sustaining food systems and better nutrition, shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Pakistani-American Women Leaders: Change-makers and Innovators'- virtual forum was convened by Pakistan’s Embassy in Washington DC. Dr. Nishtar was a keynote speaker at the forum. Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, Pakistani Ambassador in US hosted the event. Many eminent Pakistani American women participated in the webinar including Shaista Mahmood, Founder Pakistan Women Council; Shimmi Kidwai, Director, TCF USA; and Bushra Amiwala, Youngest Muslim elected official in USA amongst others. Ervin Massinga, Senior Advisor Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, US Department of State also spoke at the event.
Focused on ‘Women's Leadership in Times of Crises’ hosted by Athena40, Dr. Nishtar connected with women leaders live from the USA, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa to discuss the virtues of women's leadership and how women can bring back trust, vision and accountability in a world that is so uncertain. Launched by the London-based non-profit Global Thinkers Forum, Athena40 is a platform connecting and recognising women from around the world. The Pakistan Panel was hosted by Ambassador Attiya Mehmood.
At the World Economic Forum’s virtual global event themed, “Women, Leadership and a Pandemic”, Dr. Nishtar shared details about the gender responsive post-Covid Ehsaas Strategy in particular, higher stipend amount for girls under Ehsaas' education and nutrition conditional cash transfer programmes. The session opened a discussion with the community of global shapers including Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Winnie Byanyima, Undersecretary-General of the United Nations; and Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA amongst others.
The fifth virtual IWD event of the day was webinar around ‘The Lancet Series on Women and Children Undernutrition Progress’. The event was organized by Aga Khan University, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and International Center for Equity in Health. Panel reflected on The Lancet series’ findings and implications through distinct lenses, including COVID-19 response and recovery, food systems, and financing for nutrition. Dr. Nishtar shared the multisectoral Ehsaas approach to address health and nutrition, particularly Pakistan National Nutrition Coordination Council and Ehsaas Nashonuma to tackle nutrition and stunting issues prevailing in the country.
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