Women leaders unite to tackle gender inequality

During the concluding ceremony of the 17th Annual Rural Women Leadership Training Conference organised by PODA, European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Riina Kionka, announced a new 4-million-euro project aimed at enhancing gender equality and supporting women's political leadership in Pakistan.

The initiative will focus on developing various aspects of leadership skills. In response to a question, she remarked, "After spending three years in Pakistan, I can now represent Pakistan on different EU platforms."

In her address, she commended the women who are true 'troublemakers' in a positive tone, emphasising the importance of questioning the status quo and pushing boundaries. She highlighted their resilience in challenging outdated norms, which drives meaningful change in the world. By pursuing their own aspirations, these women leaders empower others to do the same, fostering a more inclusive and cohesive society, she added.

Sharing insights from their youth, both Dr Kionka and the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Marilina Armellin, spoke to the women leaders representing approximately 130 districts across four provinces, as well as AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. They discussed their experiences with stereotypical mindsets in their respective countries, highlighting how they overcame these challenges through determination and resilience.

Emphasising the urgent need to tackle gender-based inequalities worldwide, the Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, assured the women leaders that half of the beneficiaries of their projects would be women. She noted that Italy is making significant strides in championing human rights. Reflecting on her childhood, she shared that even as a second-grade student, she was an effective negotiator, advocating for her classmates with the school administration.