Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the Senate of Pakistan will continue to augment socio-economic and political empowerment of women in line with its constitutional, legislative, and oversight mandate. He expressed these views while addressing a National Event organized by the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026. The event was held under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”
He welcomed the launch of the Pakistan Women Parliamentary Leaders’ Portal, terming it a significant step toward institutional collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and inclusive political engagement.
The ceremony brought together national and provincial legislators, representatives of Women Parliamentary Caucuses, civil society members, development partners, and key stakeholders to engage in a comprehensive dialogue on strengthening women’s political participation and leadership in Pakistan.
In his keynote address as Chief Guest, Chairman Senate emphasized that the theme of this year’s Women’s Day is not merely a slogan but a call to conscience. “Equality delayed is justice denied,” he remarked, underscoring that democracies can only thrive when women shape decisions on equal footing. He described inclusive representation as both a democratic imperative and a national necessity.
The Chairman stressed that achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires mainstreaming women and youth into development processes through meaningful political and economic empowerment. He highlighted the responsibility of parliamentarians to remove structural barriers, build political will, and shape legislation and policies that ensure governance systems are inclusive, responsive, just, and representative.
Reflecting on his tenure as Prime Minister, Chairman Gilani recalled landmark legislative reforms introduced to safeguard women’s rights, including the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010; the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act, 2010; the Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act, 2011; and the Women in Distress and Detention Fund (Amendment) Act, 2011. He stated that these reforms sent a clear message that Pakistan would not stand still in the face of injustice.
He also expressed pride in the launch of the Benazir Income Support Programme, describing it as a transformational initiative that shifted household economic dynamics by placing financial resources directly into the hands of women. “We moved from charity to dignity, from dependency to empowerment,” he noted.
Chairman Gilani paid tribute to the remarkable women who shaped Pakistan’s democratic journey, including Fatima Jinnah, Rana Liaquat Ali Khan, Shaista Ikramullah, Jahanara Shahnawaz, and Benazir Bhutto. He said their courage and leadership laid the foundation for women’s active participation in politics, diplomacy, and nation-building.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Upper House, the Chairman stated that the Senate of Pakistan will continue to augment socio-economic and political empowerment of women in line with its constitutional, legislative, and oversight mandate. He welcomed the launch of the Pakistan Women Parliamentary Leaders’ Portal, terming it a significant step toward institutional collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and inclusive political engagement.
“Rights must be protected. Justice must be delivered. Action must be taken — not tomorrow, but now,” he asserted, urging all stakeholders to work collectively to build a governance system where opportunities are determined by merit and determination rather than gender.
The Chairman concluded by calling for shared commitment and concrete action to ensure that the next chapter of Pakistan’s democracy is its most inclusive, just, and transformative.
Dr. Shahida Rehmani (Secretary Women’s Parliamentary Caucus / MNA), Ms. Ghazala Gola Begum (Chairperson WPC and Deputy Speaker, Balochistan Assembly), Ms. Ishrat Ashraf (Convenor WPC, Punjab Assembly), Syed Shamoon Hashmi (Special Secretary, National Assembly Secretariat), and Ms. Tanzila-Ume-Habiba (Convenor WPC, Sindh Assembly) were also present at the ceremony along with other distinguished guests.
