PM vows to end violence, discrimination against women

'Government working on major human rights priority areas concerning women', says PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the government was working to ensure broad-based inclusion of women rights in every sphere, at all levels.

In his message on the International Women’s Day today, he said, “Women of Pakistan have accomplished great successes in the field of entrepreneurship, IT, science and technology, education, film-making, politics and have held high positions in the government and also in various international organisations.”

PM assures equal participation of women in democratic process

He said, “Today we join the international community in celebrating International Women’s Day 2017. The theme of the day “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030” calls for accelerating the 2030 Agenda towards effective implementation of existing and new commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and human rights.”

The prime minister said that the Constitution of Pakistan supports the equal status of women, for instance, the Article-18 and Article-25.

“Article-18 of the constitution provides equal space to women in every lawful profession, while Article-25 lays down the principles of non-discrimination and affirmative action in their case,” he explained.

He insisted in his message, “Pakistan is making wholehearted efforts to honour and implement its international commitments. The government of Pakistan has ratified seven Core Human Rights Conventions, including the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)”, which the premier said, “is a national obligation to provide for the participation of women at every level to make them valuable and productive members of society.”

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He added that the government was working on key human rights priority areas concerning women, which include the formulation of national policy guidelines on gender-based violence, reviewing discriminatory legislation against women, the establishment of new crisis centres and strengthening existing services at district, provincial and federal levels.

In a bid to further strengthen democratic norms, PM Nawaz said the government was committed to improving the participation of women in the general elections.

“Moreover, the government has taken several important initiatives including policy changes, legal reforms, access to justice, protection of women, children, minorities and vulnerable populations,” he added.

PM Nawaz said, “In the wake of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the provincial governments have the responsibility to make every effort for the promotion and protection of women’s rights and the federal government will provide full support.”

“I call upon all relevant quarters including civil society, philanthropists, media and the corporate sector to continue working hand-in-hand with the government in providing an enabling environment for women in Pakistan,” he concluded.

International Women’s Day is observed every year on March 8th worldwide.