LAHORE : In order to prepare the National Report on “Need Analysis for Financing & Strengthening Institutions with Gender Perspective for Empowerment of Women and Girls,” which the commission will present at the 68th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) held a consultation program with provincial stakeholders. With the assistance and backing of consortium partners, the consultation program was organized (UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women & UNDP). The program included a variety of gender experts, as well as representatives from government agencies, NGOs, civil society organizations, and the media. Mr. Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, the governor of Punjab, was the prominent guest at the function.
“Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective” is the theme of the sixty-eighth session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which will take place from March 11–22, 2024.
Preparing recommendations for the report to be submitted at the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women was the goal of the subject consultation conducted by NCSW. The consultation’s speakers brought up relevant topics, emphasizing the elimination of poverty and women’s economic empowerment. The study will present a comprehensive analysis of women’s economic circumstances and outline several government of Pakistan programs designed to further women’s economic empowerment.
The participants will share case studies of effective tactics, laws, and initiatives that have improved gender equality in the nation and empowered women.
During her welcoming remarks, NCSW Chairperson Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar stated that we would examine the current partnership between government agencies, civil society organizations, the commercial sector, and international organizations during these pre-CSW consultations across the nation. As the main themes of CSW 68, she stated that they were looking forward to developing inclusive and long-lasting solutions for gender-related problems with an emphasis on economic empowerment and the eradication of poverty. She emphasized the importance of using a holistic and integrated approach so that societies can concurrently fight to promote gender equality and reduce poverty.
She went on to say that it was critical to understand how gender issues and poverty are related and to work together to address them.
During his speech as Chief Guest, Mr. Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, the Governor of Punjab, stated that gender equality and poverty were closely related concerns that required our combined efforts to address in order to create a more promising and just future. According to him, Punjab is committed to putting strong policies and programs into place that would support the most disadvantaged groups in society. We are funding job training programs, educating the public, and developing long-term economic possibilities that strengthen families and individuals under these policies.
He went on to say that it was depressing to see that barriers preventing women from fully participating in a variety of life arenas still exist in the twenty-first century. As a result, we’re dedicated to making gender equality a key component of our development plan. This entails encouraging women to enter the workforce, making sure that equal labor is paid equally, and dismantling social norms that restrict women’s potential. In addition, we will endeavor to promote an inclusive and respectful society while fortifying the safety nets for victims of discrimination and violence based on gender.
During the consultation, the attendees worked in groups and had conversations to arrive at conclusions and suggestions. They largely concurred that addressing poverty through gender equality necessitates a multimodal strategy that addresses its underlying causes and gives both men and women more influence. The set of recommendations included: education and Skill Development with Equal Employment Opportunities, enforcement of anti-discriminations laws and policies in the workplace; encouragement for businesses to adopt fair hiring practices and provide equal opportunities for career advancement for both genders; support women entrepreneurs through microfinance programs, providing them with access to capital and resources.
