President, PM urge empowering women for society's development

Leaders issue messages to commemorate the day; call for increasing women's participation in workforce

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday emphasised the need to empower women for the development of society.

Both leaders issued separate messages on the day calling for increasing participation of women from all walks of life.

President Alvi said, “Pakistan needs to increase women's access to technology and digital literacy programmes, especially in far-flung areas”.

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He added that besides providing them access to internet services, laptops and other digital technologies, we should encourage more women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) fields.

The president furthered that it is essential to provide resources and support to women entrepreneurs and business owners to make them financially independent.

Message from President Dr. Arif Alvi on the occasion of International Women’s Day.#InternationalWomensDay2023 pic.twitter.com/NLB6BnEVRe

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 8, 2023

In his message to the nation, the premier said “International Women's Day is the day to recognise the key role of women in society and their contribution to the evolution of human civilisation”.

PM Shehbaz added that history has witnessed that the development of human society is not possible without the constructive role of women.

Stressing that the entire society had to work together to ensure more empowerment, protection and fair rights for women, the PM added that “our religion Islam granted equal rights to women 14 hundred years ago.”

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Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman also shared her thoughts on the day and said “the purpose of observing International Women's Day is to encourage women, recognise their rights and spread awareness among people regarding the equal status of women”.

The minister added that 49% of Pakistan's population consists of women and they are the backbone of our family system, society, country and economy.

Dedicating this year's International Women's Day to the workers, labourers and flood-affected women across the country, Rehman said that “women should get their rights and status according to the Constitution and law so that they can lead a socially and economically dignified life”.

عورتوں کے عالمی دن کے موقع پر پاکستان کی جرات مند، محنتی اور بہادر عورتوں سمیت دنیا بھرکی عورتوں کو خراج اور مبارکباد پش کرتی ہوں
اس دن منانے کا مقصد عورتوں کی حوصلہ افضائی کرنا، ان کے حقوق کو تسلیم کرنا اور عورتوں کے مساوی حیثیت کے حوالے سے لوگوں میں بیداری پھیلانا ہے
آج ہماری… https://t.co/aiTUeetWdt pic.twitter.com/ENGP8Cj5Dt

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) March 8, 2023

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hina Parvez Butt wished “all the ladies and girls who are changing the world and dreaming big.”

“Define yourself, celebrate your femininity, stay brave and continue to aim for the stars!” she added.

Happy International Women's Day to all the ladies and girls out there who are changing the world and dreaming big. Define yourself, celebrate your femininity, stay brave and continue to aim for the stars!🌟👸#HappyWomensDay

— Hina Parvez Butt (@hinaparvezbutt) March 8, 2023

Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres also stressed n the rights of women and said “investing in women and girls is the surest way to uplift all people, all communities and all countries.”

Women and girls everywhere are demanding their rights - and their words reverberate around the world.

Investing in women and girls is the surest way to uplift all people, all communities and all countries.#InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/CM0v9uvfgp

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 8, 2023

International Women's Day is being celebrated across the world including Pakistan today to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The theme of this year's day is DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.