ISLAMABAD, Oct 31 (Alliance News): Federal Minister for Law, Justice, and Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, convened a meeting on Thursday with representatives from UN Women Pakistan and the Interagency Gender and Development Group (INGAD) to reinforce Pakistan’s dedication to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The dialogue focused on collaborative strategies to address the persistent challenges women face in the country.
Key international figures in attendance included Maria Holtsberg from UN Women, Andrew Bowden from the Commonwealth and Development Office, and Jeroen Willems from the European Union.
These stakeholders shared global perspectives and emphasized the significance of cross-sector partnerships in establishing robust gender-responsive frameworks and advocacy programs in Pakistan.
Minister Tarar highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance women’s rights, referencing key legislative measures such as the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act and the Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act.
These initiatives align with Pakistan’s commitments under international frameworks, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), reaffirming the nation’s dedication to ensuring equal opportunities and protections for women.
Recognizing the necessity of inclusive approaches, the Ministry of Human Rights is working with local and international partners to engage men and boys as allies in combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The National Strategy for Male Involvement in Addressing GBV, developed in collaboration with UNFPA and the Pakistani NGO Rozan, aims to promote positive societal change by challenging harmful gender norms and encouraging male responsibility in preventing violence.
The ministry is actively collaborating with multiple UN agencies to advance gender-focused initiatives, including a joint work plan with UN Women, a rolling work plan with UNICEF, and efforts with UNDP to implement the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
These partnerships are designed to generate sustainable impacts, enhancing the ministry’s capacity to tackle challenges, especially in areas where cultural norms and resource limitations impede progress.
Through strengthening these international alliances and driving targeted policies, Pakistan aims to make significant advancements in promoting gender equality, empowering women, and fostering a more inclusive society.
