Foreign minister’s message on International Women’s Day

ISLAMABAD: The International Women’s Day is an occasion to celebrate the progress made in empowering women and reaffirming our collective resolve to redouble efforts in advancing the cause of women.

This day is also an opportunity to recognise and salute women for their diverse roles in raising future generations, in shaping better societies, in contributing to economies through political leadership and public service. This day is also a reminder of the challenges that need to be tackled through policies, programmes and support from all segments of the society.

Pakistan fully supports this year’s theme for the day, “Press for Progress” and its underlying sub-themes. These are essential in raising awareness about continued challenges faced by women in their everyday lives and the earnest need to overcome them.

Pakistan is proud to have made significant advances in empowering women politically, economically and socially, including through legislative, policy, institutional and administrative measures. 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 raising awareness. 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 in the world, and fighter jet pilots. They make us proud everywhere.

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. Our vision remains in sync with the guidance from Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who said, “I have always maintained that a nation that cannot take its women along with men can never be worthy of existence”.