By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro has reaffirmed government’s pledge and commitment to the cause of women development and empowerment.
In his message on the occasion of International Women Day falling on March 8, he said all women and men are equally entitled to share the worldly opportunities throughout their lives, but unfortunately, women have been left behind than their male counterparts.
He said, “As a signatory to various UN Conventions especially CEDAW and CRC, our commitment to remove and prevent all discriminatory practices from our social fabric have been further strengthened.”
He expressed the hope that the newly elected parliamentarians in general and women legislators in particular would raise their voice for the cause of women and girls.
“This would help pave the way for gender balanced national development and prosperity with mutual partnership of the government and the civil society,” Prime Minister Soomro added.
He said progress and prosperity of any country is directly linked to active participation of all the citizens in the national affairs and added no country can make progress if half of its population comprising women is unable to participate in all walks of life.
Thus, he said, women’s emancipation is crucial for sustainable development of Pakistan.
“By mobilizing the collective power of women for the welfare of society we can make our world more tolerant, harmonious and secure. Let us work for it together,” he added.
He said this year’s theme i.e. “Investing in Women and Girls” is thus relevant and timely for the societies in the developing countries like Pakistan.
Keeping this year’s theme in focus, special and extra institutionalized efforts, both in monetary and non-monetary terms, will have to be made at the national level to narrow down the gender disparity in social, legal, economic and political fields, he said.
The Prime Minister said these efforts and the affirmative actions would reflect the level of commitment, especially the political will, for a short and long term improvement in the lives of women and girls who are half of the country’s population.