Parliamentarians and Youth Activists stand up for women and girls in Pakistan
Date:
Islamabad, Pakistan – Over 200 male parliamentarians and youth activists from Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK) came together to Muzaffarabad to make a commitment to UN Women’s “HeForShe” solidarity movement for gender equality by saying no to discrimination and violence against women and girls. The event was conducted to commemorate the start of 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence and the UN Secretary-General’s global campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women.
Male parliamentarians from the State committing to “HeForShe” included: Mr. Syed Asif Shah, Additional Chief Secretary General, Mr. Shaukat Javid Mir, Special Advisor on Media to the Prime Minister of PAK, Mr. Murtaza Durrani, Special Advisor on Information to Prime Minister of PAK, H.E. Mr. Bazal Naqvi, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, H.E. Mr. Javed Bhudanvi, Minister for Food, H.E. Mr. Salam Butt, Minister for Tourism, H.E. Mr. Afsar Shahid, Minister for Auqaf, H.E. Mr. Faisal Rathore, Minister for Electricity and Secretaries from the Departments of Law, Industry, Agriculture, the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, Planning and Development, State Disaster Management Authority, Health and Education. Additionally, over 100 male youth activists along with female parliamentarians, female activists, development partners and representatives from the media also pledged their support to take the HeForShe movement into their homes, schools, work places and circle of friends.
The event was organized by the PAK Women Development Department in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan.
IMPRESSIONS
“Today is a momentous day; for the first time in Pakistan male parliamentarians (supported by their female counterparts) and male youth activists have come together to commit to UN Women’s HeForShe global solidarity movement for gender equality. HeForShe engages men and boys as advocates and stakeholders, to break the silence, raise their voices and take action for the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment.”
– Mr. Jamshed Kazi, Country Representative for UN Women Pakistan
“Commemorating 16 Days of Activism, HeForShe and other such campaigns are there to support us and remind us of the role we have in standing up and raising awareness on the rights of women and girls. We will only achieve this goal if men and women stand side-by-side in their efforts. The youth of our country need to know that they, as our new generation, need to take forward the works that was started before us, and build upon what we are collectively doing today.”
– H.E Ms. Farzana Yaqoob, Minister for Women’s Development Department, PAK–
“Every year the 16 Days of Activism campaign gives us a platform from where we can share achievements and re-new commitments to end discrimination against women and girls. We need to acknowledge those persons and more so the men and boys, parliamentarians and active citizens, who support women and girls by opening doors of opportunity to them and encourage them in their accomplishments.”
– Honorable Ms. Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, on behalf of the Inter-Provincial Ministerial Group on Women’s Empowerment
“When we talk of women’s rights we need to broaden our vision and ensure all women benefit equally including women from the rural areas with access to good quality education, health systems and employment opportunities. In bringing about this change, the State Government is commitment to advance gender equality and stands shoulder to should with our partners in this mission.”
– H.E. Mr. Chaudhry Mohammad Rasheed, Minister of Works and Housing Department, PAK“H.E. the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Nawaz Sharif adopted the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recently. As we commemorate 16 Days and commit to HeForShe, we need to know that today we have to think, act and deliver on Pakistan’s commitment to the SDGs, especially goal 5 on women’s rights and their empowerment.”
– Mr. Zeeshan Haider, Member of Youth Assembly and Representative of Youth Activists, PAK
“The youth on the streets have started asking “what is HeForShe” meaning the awareness drive has started to make its impact in the region. The youth are determined and will make a difference in our efforts to ensure equality and empowerment for the women and girls.”
– Mr. Tahmaas Durrani from the Youth Friendly Organization, PAK
“Along with our male parliamentarians we have undertaken a number of legislative initiatives to end violence against women and girls such as the recently drafted bill on child marriage. We [women parliamentarians] are the representatives of the women and girls of our region. We want to ensure a life free of violence for them; we will not compromise on their rights.”
– Honorable Ms. Shaheen Dar, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, PAK
Mr. Khawaja Mohammad Ehsan, Secretary for Social Welfare and Women Development Department, PAK in the vote of thanks commended the active collaboration between UN Women and the Women Development Department over the years particularly on legislative reviews and lobbying for their effective implementation.
For more information contact:
Ms. Faria Salman,
Strategic Management and Partnerships Officer and Communications Focal Point for
UN Women Pakistan
Email: faria.salman@unwomen.org