NCSW Launches Summary Of Report On Status Of Women

News Desk

Islamabad: “Education and employment opportunities can significantly improve women’s well-being, decision-making and agency,” states the ‘National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan, 2023’, launched in Islamabad on Thursday.

Various socioeconomic indicators quoted in the report show that while much progress has been made, Pakistan still has a long way to go before women realise their full potential as equal and active members of society.

The report was launched by the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), with the support of the US Embassy International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) office and UN Women.

This summary report comprehensively analyses women’s barriers and offers actionable insights to enhance their status and well-being. The collection of data through the National Gender Data Portal (NGDP) has yielded a significant outcome in the form of a comprehensive report on the status of women in the country.

@Ncswpk, with the support of @StateINL 🇵🇰 and @UN_Women, is proud to announce the launch of the "National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan, 2023." 🚀
Join us in celebrating this milestone towards a brighter future for Pakistani women. pic.twitter.com/WSw9siO9dO

— UN Women Pakistan (@unwomen_pak) June 8, 2023

The objective of this launching ceremony was to provide a platform for key experts, leaders and stakeholders to share their valuable insights on the situation of women and girls and highlight key findings of the report.

The data presented in the summary report has been chiefly collected through the INL-funded NGDP of the NCSW – a comprehensive and dynamic digital platform for collecting and analysing data on gender indicators to promote gender-responsive policymaking and development planning.

NCSW Chairperson NilofarBakhtiar revealed the key findings and trends outlined in the report and said, “By presenting a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the current status of women, the National Report aims to challenge the negative narratives that are often associated with Pakistan and to shed light on the positive strides made in women’s empowerment.”

Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Federal Minister Sherry Rehman stated, “Women’s empowerment is a key driver of positive change. This report is a powerful reminder of women’s and girls’ challenges in our society, highlighting their immense potential and resilience.”

NCSW in support with UN Women & INL launched the summary of the National Report on the Status of Women at Islamabad. The data collected for the report was from our very own intiative: the NGDP! So thankful for everyone who made this possible pic.twitter.com/Lf6PeGXACC

— National Commission on the Status of Women (@ncswpk) June 8, 2023

Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said, “The progress of a nation is intricately linked to the empowerment of its women. This report highlights the urgent need to prioritise women’s advancement in our development agenda. By investing in their education, skills development, and economic opportunities, we can unlock their potential as agents of change and accelerate the overall development of our country,” Iqbal further added.

INL Director Lori Antolinez provided valuable insights and stated, “We believe that empowering women is not just a matter of equality; it is a catalyst for societal development and progress. Launching this summary report is an important step in the right direction.”

UN Women Country Representative Sharmeela Rassool expressed her enthusiasm about the event, stating, “The launching ceremony of the National Report represents a significant milestone in our collective efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in the country.”

“We look forward to further exploring the key findings and trends in the report and using the data to make informed decisions and develop policy and programme interventions that would improve the status of women and girls in Pakistan,” Sharmeela Rassool further added.