Speakers call for giving more space to womenfolk

Speakers have said that women and girls in Pakistan need to be provided with more space to achieve their best potential and usher real development in society.

They said this during a webinar titled ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’ held by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in connection with International Women’s Day.

Presenting an overview of women’s development in Pakistan, Member National Assembly Aliya Hamza Malik said that the growth of a society is unimaginable without the participation of women.

“Women lost jobs twice more as compared to men in the coronavirus pandemic,” she said adding that women's leadership response to the challenge of pandemic however has given us a silver lining. “Women in the leadership role can provide better space and understanding for girls and other women,” she added.

Member National Assembly Shaza Fatima said that Pakistan is among the worst countries with respect to gender parity. “Thus, the first thing we all need to do is to give the right space and respect to the women to enable them to perform according to their best potentials. It is unfortunate that during the time of any calamity, women get worst affected and yet, their contribution to counter the climate change and for more sustainable development is commendable,” she said.

Mountain & Glacier Protection Organization CEO Aisha Khan emphasized that “we need to take women into account for a harmonised society. Women are resilient and have the capacity to adapt to the changing environment provided we give them space, equal opportunities, and resources. Moreover, psychological space and conditioning are important for women which are unfortunately not available in our society”.

SDPI Research Fellow Dr Hina Aslam explained that mainstreaming gender response in agricultural practices will contribute to household income and can also elevate their financial domestic burdens. She added further that we need to give voice to the women and hear them at all levels. It is high time that we encourage our girls to participate and join all the spheres of life and professionals as the only sky is the limit for them.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2022.