Islamabad: The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), in collaboration with UN Women, has concluded the second phase of its innovative consultation conference series, “The Next Horizon.” This initiative is focused on developing a comprehensive National Agenda to enhance women’s role in politics and promote their economic empowerment.
The “Next Horizon” conference series marks a significant milestone for NCSW, as it is the first of its kind to unite a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, activists, academics, and community leaders.
During the conference on women’s role in politics, Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson NCSW in her opening remarks said it’s an immediate requirement to address the concerning state of women’s political participation and outlining the challenges ahead. She stated, We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history where women’s voices should be heard, amplified, and integrated into the political process. Empowering women in politics is not just about equality; it’s about enhancing the very fabric of our democracy.
Chief guest of the session, Hina Pervaiz Butt, MPA Punjab & Chairperson Punjab Women Protection Authority, emphasized on the need for change that is systematic in the participation of women politically, stating, “Despite the progress we have made, the journey towards gender equality in politics remains incomplete. It is crucial that we address and dismantle the structural barriers preventing women’s full participation.
While addressing the audience Saman Ahsan OIC UN Women, highlighted the importance of women’s role in politics. Empowering women in politics is crucial for creating a more representative and effective governance system.
In her address, Kausar Taqdees Gillani – Minister of State, Azad Jammu Kashmir stated, “Women’s political participation is essential for achieving gender equality and strengthening democracy. We must ensure that women’s voices are not only heard but are central to our nation’s governance.”
Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani Minister of Education Balochistan further outlined her vision for addressing the province’s diverse challenges through inclusive growth, social cohesion, and effective governance.
Shaheena Sher Ali, Minister of Women Development Department, Sindh said, Empowering women requires challenging outdated roles and creating laws that support their participation in national and international fields.
Despite advancements, women in Pakistan face substantial obstacles to political engagement. In the 2024 general elections, only 4.6% of general seat candidates were women. Gender quotas and reserved seats have not significantly accelerated women’s rise to influential roles, with barriers such as economic dependency, sociocultural resistance, and limited access to leadership training.
NCSW launched its report titled Protection of women and girls, legislative, policy and institutional Framework of Pakistan.
The insights, outcomes, and recommendations from the conference were integrated into NCSW’s comprehensive National Women’s Agenda to reshape Pakistan’s political landscape. At the end of the event, the comprehensive agenda was presented to women political leaders, Deputy Speaker KP Assembly Suriya Bibi, Deputy Speaker Balochistan Assembly Ghazala Gola, Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly Anthony Naveed and member provincial and national assembly and regions for further implementation.
The launch of “The Next Horizon” marks a significant step forward in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by women and girls in Pakistan.
