Chairperson,
I wish to congratulate you on assuming chairmanship of the Commission on the Status of Women. We hope that this will prove to be a space for meaningful dialogue and assure you of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to support and cooperate with the Commission towards achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.
The protection and promotion of the rights of women is one of the key pillars of Pakistan’s development paradigm. The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees fundamental rights to both men and women against all forms of discrimination, exploitation and marginalization and ensures their equal rights and opportunities to grow and lead a healthy and prosperous life. Furthermore, Islam ensures women’s rights in every sphere of their life and I quote: “And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women.” (Surah al-Baqarah)
Pakistan has also adopted a number of key international commitments to gender equality and human rights which includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and the Sustainable Development Goals. We believe that the Sustainable Development Agenda with its 17 goals, particularly goal 5 has the potential to transform the lives of women by ensuring gender equality and empowerment of women in all spheres of life.
The Government of Pakistan has also taken concrete steps towards strengthening legislation in order to address issues such as violence against women, domestic abuse, harassment, social protection, economic participation and inheritance. The recently passed Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace (Amendment) Act, 2022 broadens the definition of harassment and specifically includes domestic workers who are usually at a greater risk of workplace violence and harassment. The National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights is another milestone for improving the industrial working conditions, placing special focus on women’s labor participation and safe working conditions. Our Government’s Enforcement of Women's Property Rights Act, 2020 secures the rights of ownership and possession of both movable and immovable property owned by women, ensuring that such rights are not violated by means of harassment, coercion, force, or fraud.
Equipping women with vocational skills have been a priority of our government. And the Women Welfare and Development Centre in Islamabad alone have trained 20,000 women in vocational and technical skills. The Government is ensuring participation of women in all spheres of life. The Government’s major initiatives for economic empowerment and social protection of women includes the Ehsaas Programme designed to provide social assistance to women. The success of our social protection program during the Covid pandemic has been commended all over the world. Other major financial initiatives include a universal health coverage program and microfinance opportunities.
Pakistan is also responding to the threats of climate change through adaptation and mitigation. It is a cause the Prime Minister has placed a special focus on with reforestation programs, Clean Green Pakistan movement and the first gender action plan on climate change.
I think it pertinent to mention here that the global community, too, has a responsibility and duty to acknowledge the suffering and devastating human rights consequences of the illegal Occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India. Women are being targeted by Indian Occupation forces who have used rape as a weapon of war and attacked women and children with pellet guns. We cannot be selective in where the standards of human rights apply. And here I would be amiss if I did not mention the fact that the rising tide of Islamophobia in the West discriminates and denies the opportunities to Muslim women especially because they are denied education and health if they merely cover their heads. This discrimination also must be dealt with by the world community
Pakistan firmly believes that economic growth, sustainable development, peace and prosperity can only be built upon the foundation of female empowerment and gender equality. We remain committed to creating an enabling and safe environment for our girls and women to ensure their equal participation in decision making and public life.
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