Status report: Women’s work needs to be recognised, says Yasmin Zaidi

Suggests availability of data will allow for better resource allocation, planning

ISLAMABAD: Women’s economic work, both paid and unpaid, needs to be recognised, acknowledged and tracked at district and provincial levels. This was said by Centre of Gender and Policy Studies Director Dr Yasmin Zaidi on Wednesday, while speaking here at the launch of “Women’s Economic Participation and Empowerment - Status Report 2016”.

Robust data on employment and earnings will allow provinces to plan where to allocate resources so that all districts can prosper and generate decent employment, and manage the flow of economic migration within the country, the Dr Zaidi said.

The report produced by the UN Women in collaboration with the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and with the support from the governments of Norway and Denmark emphasises on the complex and multifaceted concept of women’s economic empowerment.

The report also documents economic situation of women affected by humanitarian crises and complex emergencies over the past decade.

It looks at social and economic vulnerabilities that keep Pakistani women underpaid, even after overcoming structural and social barriers to seek employment.

The status report further recommends a concerted effort to improve women’s access, opportunities and capabilities in order for them to participate as full economic actors in development and growth of a dynamic Pakistan that the Vision 2025 seeks.

UN Women Country Representative Jamshed Kazi stated that the report delineates a meticulous overview of the working women population of the country.

“Providing equal opportunities for better education is also critical for women and girls to improve their employment options,” Kazi said.

Danish Chargé d’ Affaires Helle Nielsen said research shows that investing in girls and women was the most effective investment in development.

She highlighted that by removing the barriers that prevent women from entering the labour market, country’s productivity could increase.

“Authentic official data and its analysis are imperative to establish the reality on the ground for giving direction for appropriate policies and action,” NCSW former chairperson Khawar Mumtaz said.

National Womens’ Basketball Team Captain Sana Mahmud spoke about the gender pay gap in sports.

Punjab Commission on the Status of Women Chairperson Fauzia Viqar, who was chief guest at the event, stressed the importance of data collection for informed policy making, actions and to measure progress.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2016.