ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: As the World celebrates the progress made in empowering women on ‘International Women Day’, the Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has reaffirmed the resolve to redouble efforts in advancing the cause of women.
“This Day is also an opportunity to recognize and salute women for their diverse roles: in raising future generations, in shaping better societies, in contributing to economies and through political leadership and public service,” the minister said in his message on ‘International Women’s Day’ – annually held on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations.
“The Day is also a reminder of the challenges that need to be tackled through policies, programmes and support from all segments of society,” he said.
Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan fully supports this year’s theme of this Day, “Press for Progress” and its underlying sub-themes. He said that these are essential in raising awareness about continued challenges faced by women in everyday life and the earnest need to overcome them.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan is proud to have made significant advances in empowering women politically, economically and socially including through legislative, policy, institutional and administrative measures. He added that gender remains a cross cutting theme in all our policies and projects at federal and provincial levels.
“Pakistani women are excelling in all fields. They are active in law making, advocacy and awareness raising. They are leading Government and Corporate institutions. They are representing Pakistan abroad as Ambassadors and diplomats. They are also winners of Oscar and Noble peace awards, climbers of highest peaks of the world, and fighter jet pilots. They make us proud everywhere,” Khawaja Asif said.
The minister said that even as much progress has been made, we are mindful of the challenges that exist.
“We are determined to continue working towards a more enabling environment for implementation and enforcement of laws, rules and policies,” he said.
Khawaja Asif said that our vision remains in sync with the guidance from the Father of Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who said “I have always maintained that no nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with the men.”
