Minister Jamali Vows Govt Support for Women’s Empowerment

News Desk

Quetta: Balochistan’s Caretaker Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs, Muhammad Zubair Jamali, has said that women in Balochistan are making progress, actively participating in various sectors of the economy.

Stressing the importance of women’s education, he announced the government’s commitment to strengthening state institutions to empower women in all aspects of life.

Jamali expressed the government’s dedication to evaluating the proposals put forth by the forum, in collaboration with the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and UN partners.

Recognizing the interconnectedness of gender equality and poverty issues, he emphasized the need for collective efforts to build a more equitable and prosperous future.

Acknowledging the persistent challenges faced by many citizens, especially women, in meeting their basic needs, Jamali assured that the government is determined to address these obstacles and is open to working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders.

He was speaking at the consultant session organized by the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) on Wednesday in Quetta.

The consultant session was agreed that promoting gender equality to address poverty requires a multifaceted approach that tackles the root causes and empowers both men and women.

The participants raised gender issues and poverty, with a focus on the economic empowerment of women and the eradication of poverty.

They presented a set of recommendations encompassing education and skill development, advocating for equal employment opportunities, particularly for women and girls, and calling for the strict implementation of anti-discrimination laws and policies in the workplace.

In the preparation of the National Report titled “Need Analysis for Financing and Strengthening Institutions with Gender Perspective for the Empowerment of Women and Girls,” the NCSW collaborated with provincial stakeholders.

کم عمری کی شادی کےخلاف اجلاس آج کوئٹہ کی7 ویں نشست کےساتھ اختتام پذیر ہوئے، وزیر تعلیم قادربخش بلوچ نےNCSW کے ساتھ اس مہم میں ساتھ چلنےکا عزم کیا، ملک بھر کےتمام حکومتی نمائندوں،افسران،سول سوسائٹی،میڈیا نےکم عمری کی شادی کےخلاف قوانین کی منظوری و عمل داری کے ارادے کا اظہارکیا pic.twitter.com/OGX8ifPVFt

— National Commission on the Status of Women (@ncswpk) January 30, 2024

This report is slated to be presented by the Commission during the 68th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, as per a recent news release.

The upcoming session, scheduled from March 11 to 22, 2024, will focus on the theme of “achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.”

The NCSW, in collaboration with Consortium members UNWOMEN, UNICEF, UNDP, and UNFPA, conducted the final consultation in a series of dialogues held in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), Nilofar Bakhtiar, expressed appreciation to the consortium partners for their continuous support of the NCSW and Consortium’s pre-CSW consultations, which form the overarching theme of CSW 68.

She emphasized the commitment to collaborative efforts in seeking inclusive and sustainable solutions to gender-related challenges, with a specific emphasis on economic empowerment and the elimination of poverty.

Bakhtiar highlighted the potential for societies to simultaneously promote gender equality and reduce poverty through a comprehensive and integrated approach.

Recognizing the vital links between gender issues and poverty, Bakhtiar stressed the importance of collective action involving communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments, and the business sector. The series of consultations organized across Pakistan provided an opportunity to assess progress and identify persistent obstacles hindering success.

On the occasion, Amanullah Kanrani, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, expressed the honor of Balochistan in hosting the consultation. He highlighted the provincial government’s recognition that empowering women is not only a social justice concern but also an economic necessity.

Kanrani emphasized the importance of providing women with equal opportunities and inclusion in all sectors, ensuring equitable access to education, employment, and entrepreneurship. He asserted that addressing the gender gap requires promoting transparency and adhering to both national and international commitments.