Moot stresses women's empowerment

Brings together policymakers & diplomats to discuss strategies for gender equality

ISLAMABAD:

The Centre of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR) hosted a ground-breaking event titled, "EmpowerHER – A National Roadmap for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment," uniting policymakers, diplomats, thought leaders and gender influencers to chart pathways for a more equitable and inclusive society.

This roundtable served as a transformative dialogue, addressing critical issues surrounding women's rights and gender equality. The event brought together a diverse group of 30 prominent gender influencers, including activists, artists, entrepreneurs, journalists, policymakers and thought leaders from various industries and countries. These extraordinary women, renowned for their significant contributions to advancing gender equality, shared their perspectives and actionable strategies for fostering empowerment and inclusion.

COPAIR President Amna Munawwar Awan highlighted women's rights are human rights and there is a need for gender inclusive policies for women political and economic empowerment. She also launched an AI Chatbot to support women in distress by giving basic guidelines how to address those critical challenges.

The chief guest of the ceremony Ambassador of Cyprus to Pakistan, H.E. Dilsad Senol, said "I am delighted to acknowledge COPAIR's groundbreaking initiative, EmpowerHER – A National Roadmap for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment."

She said that women's rights are not only a moral imperative but also a cornerstone of empowerment. Diplomacy serves as a powerful tool in this endeavour, with women in diplomacy offering unique perspectives to address global challenges. Emphasising both regional and global collaboration is essential to tackle issues affecting women as collective efforts can generate impactful synergies and drive meaningful change.

The event featured compelling discussions from leading experts and thought leaders, covering vital topics such as gender equality's role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), empowering women through digital skills, the critical contribution of women in peace and security, and the universality of women's rights. Each speaker illuminated pathways for empowering women as catalysts for sustainable development and change.

Interactive sessions with parliamentarians, government officials, diplomats and civil society leaders created a collaborative environment, generating practical recommendations for addressing gender disparities.