Call for equal participation of women in leadership roles – 09 Mar 2021

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan joined the international community on Monday in calling for special measures to advance equal participation of women in leadership roles to achieve rapid change.

`Today on International Women`s Day, we reaffirm our collective resolve to redouble efforts in advancing gender equality & respect for women`s rights, said Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan`s permanent representative to the United Nations.

Mr Akram pointed out in his statement that Pakistani women at `the UN have provided the most exemplary and effective service` and assured the world that `we will continue to further build on our achievements.

The mission also released pictures of Pakistani women speaking at various United Nations fora and participating in peace-keeping and other activities.

In Washington, the embassy arranged a two-hour seminar to highlight the achievements of Pakistani-American women leaders.

While addressing the seminar, Pakistan`s ambassador Asad Majeed Khan said it was important to recognise and acknowledge that `Pakistani-American women have played a significant role, both as bridge builders between Pakistan and the US and as role models for the next generation of Pakistani women.

Their bridge-building role, he said, was particularly important for the next generation of Pakistanis in America.

At the United Nations headquarters in New York, Secretary-General António Guterres marked the day by outlining `clear evidence` of how women leaders pursue peace and development when in power. Women leaders pursued bettersocial protection programmes, stronger climate policies and enduring peace agreements when in power, he said.

`Whether running a country, a business or a popular movement, women are making contributions that are delivering for all and driving progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals,` Mr Guterres said.

`I call on countries, companies and institutions to adopt special measures and quotas to advance women`s equal participation and achieve rapid change.

The United Nations began celebrating the day in 1975, which was designated International Women`s Year and now it has become a rallying point to build support for women`s participation in the political and economic arenas.

This year`s commemorations, under the theme, `Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world,` are overshadowed by a pandemic that has wiped out decades of hard-won progress towards gender equality.

A United Nations report noted that women had `borne the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic from being pushed into poverty, to losing jobs, to an alarming spike in domestic violence and the unpaid care burden`.

Yet, women `have stood resolutely on the frontlines of pandemic response, as essential workers, caregivers and leaders`, the report added.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN-Women, a United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, underlined the need for political will to enhance women`s representation.

Concrete efforts such as placing and enforcing quotas were needed to expand women representation in key positions, she said.

`No country prospers without the engagement of women,` said Ms MlamboNgcuka while explaining why it was important to bring forward women leaders.

`This is the only way we will get real societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and benefits us all,` she said.