New York (TDI): Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality and women’s rights at the Ministerial Roundtable on National Mechanisms for Gender Equality held at the United Nations. The event took place as part of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at UN Headquarters.
The Beijing Platform for Action remains a powerful tool for transformative change. However, its vision can only be realized if we move beyond rhetoric and take concrete, sustained action. Pakistan stands ready to work with the international community to accelerate progress,… pic.twitter.com/8f51xv29IC
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) March 13, 2025
Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), Umm-e-Laila Azhar, represented Pakistan at the roundtable, outlining national efforts and progress in advancing women’s rights.
She highlighted Pakistan’s institutional mechanisms, including national and provincial commissions, women development departments, and the women’s parliamentary caucus, that work toward ensuring gender equality.
She also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to gender equality and promoting women’s rights.
The Chairperson informed the participants about ninety five specialized courts, police stations, human rights cells, and virtual police stations set up in Pakistan to facilitate quick action on violence against women and girls.
Ms. Umm-e-Laila Azhar, chairperson of the National Commission on Status of Women, delivered Pakistan’s statement during the Ministerial Roundtable as part of #CSW69.
Here are major points of her statement
➡️ Commitment to Gender Equality – Reaffirming dedication to advancing… pic.twitter.com/nCR26S4t5z
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) March 13, 2025
Speaking on measures to improve financial inclusion of women, Umm-e-Laila Azhar briefed about the Women’s Bank initiative of the government of Pakistan.
She also highlighted a number of legal reforms that have been undertaken to protect women as well as the opportunities that have been created, like vocational training and entrepreneurial support.
On the sidelines, the Chairman met Katrina Fotovat, senior bureau official in the Office of Global Women’s Issues of the US Department of State. She briefed the bureau official about what Pakistan has done so far for women’s rights.
Ms. Ume-e-Laila Azhar, chairperson of the National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) Pakistan, who is in New York to attend #CSW69, held a meeting with Ms. Katrina Fotovat, senior bureau official, Office of Global Women’s Issues, US Department of State today.
The chairperson… pic.twitter.com/ZOa5je6CIf
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) March 12, 2025
During the meeting, she shared the legal, judicial, economic, and administrative safeguards that have been put in place for ensuring gender equality and promoting women empowerment in all walks of life in Pakistan.
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal body of UN Women dedicated to promoting gender equality. Currently at the UN headquarters, the Commission’s two-week long annual session is underway.
Nuzhat Rana is the Managing Editor (website) at The Diplomatic Insight.
