Lansana Stresses Women’s Role in Sustainable Development

News Desk

Islamabad: Country Representative, UN Women, Lansana Wonneh, emphasized the significance of women’s economic empowerment as a fundamental human rights issue.

She highlighted that supporting women entrepreneurs is pivotal for fostering a more inclusive and sustainable economy, stressing the importance of dismantling structural barriers hindering gender parity.

Wonneh underscored the necessity of addressing various forms of vulnerability and violence against women through enhanced policies, programs, and funding mechanisms.

Speaking as the chief guest at the National Women Trade Fair Certificate distribution ceremony and Eid Milan party, organized in collaboration with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Commission on the Status of Women, Wonneh assured full support from her institution to achieve women’s empowerment objectives across all sectors.

Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, echoed the sentiment, stating that women’s economic empowerment is pivotal for societal development.

She emphasized the abundance of talent and creativity among Pakistani women, highlighting the need for opportunities to nurture these talents and recognizing women as equal contributors to the economy rather than mere beneficiaries.

Bakhtiar affirmed the commitment of the NCSW to uplift women from poverty through economic empowerment, education, skill development, access to healthcare, and the eradication of violence against them.

She expressed gratitude for the support of academia, civil society, and various partners, notably UN Women, ICCI, and IWCCI, in ensuring the success of the event.

Acting President of ICCI, Faad Waheed, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to eradicate poverty and promote peace and dignity for women and girls globally.

He highlighted that women are not a burden on the economy but rather essential contributors driving prosperity. Waheed noted the increasing opportunities for women in Pakistan, acknowledging their exceptional abilities and extending ICCI’s full support to women entrepreneurs for business growth.

Engineer Azhar ul Islam Zafar, Vice President of ICCI, underscored the crucial role of women in leadership across all sectors. He emphasized the potential for collaboration with UN Women, WCCI, and ICCI to recognize and empower women, thus fostering economic progress in the country.