Islamabad (Web Desk): International Women's Day is being observed today (Monday) across the world including Pakistan to acknowledge women's outstanding contributions in various fields.
This year's theme for the day is "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world."
This day celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Besides celebrating women's achievements, the day also aims to raise awareness about women's equality, lobby for accelerated gender parity and raise funds for female-focused charities.
In 1977 the UN and other international organisations officially declared March 8 as International Women´s Day.
Pakistan is also observing the day and different seminars, conferences and events have been organised in the country to highlight the significance of the role of women in the society.
In a message in connection with the day, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Pakistani women contributed immensely for glory and honor of our nation.
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar shared the army chief’s message on twitter. The COAS said women are also at forefront against covid-19.
Women in uniform have proved their mettle by contributing copiously in diverse fields serving the nation and humanity, the COAS said adding that they deserve our immense respect and gratitude.
In his message pertaining to Women's Day, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said during the testing times of the COVID-19 pandemic, women in Pakistan demonstrated remarkable resilience and leadership, effectively contributing to our nation's response and recovery.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said women stood at the front lines, as health care workers, primary caregivers, innovators, human rights defenders and community organizers.
The foreign minister said we cannot forget the plight of women in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and over the last seven decades, they have endured the worst forms of human rights abuse and oppression at the hands of Indian occupation forces including sexual violence, rape and molestation.
In a message on Twitter in connection with day, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to United Nations (UN) Munir Akram said we reaffirm our collective resolve to redouble efforts in advancing gender equality and respect for women’s rights.
“Pakistani women at the United Nations have provided the most exemplary and effective service and we will continue to further build on our achievements,” Akram said.
National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri also expressed their resolve to address the challenges faced by women.
The speaker said protection of women’s rights is top priority of the incumbent government, because it is imperative for formation of a progressive society.
Deputy speaker Qasim Khan Suri said Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees fundamental rights of women, including financial security, job, business, education and freedom of choice in their profession, participation in political and social activities.
In his message on the occasion Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said that the government is committed to empowerment and social protection of women by providing them equal opportunities of progress and ensuring their rights.
He said enforcement of Women Property Rights Act will help ensure women their inheritance rights.
The minister said it is imperative to empower women to make society civilized and progressive.
