Women's Day goes mostly unnoticed

International Women's Day passed with little official recognition in Faisalabad, as no significant events, rallies, or awareness programs were organized at the government level.

The only official acknowledgment came from Commissioner Faisalabad, Mariam Khan, who issued a statement through the information department, expressing solidarity with Pakistani women. However, she spent the day attending an official meeting on the Ramadan pay order distribution package.

Similarly, Deputy Commissioner Faisalabad, Captain (retd) Nadeem Nasir, limited his involvement to chairing a District Design and Planning Committee meeting, which approved commercial projects, including plazas and petrol pumps in the city.

Despite Faisalabad's large female population, the absence of official observances stood in contrast to past years. However, a silver lining emerged in the private sector, where Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) marked the occasion with a dedicated event focusing on gender equality and the challenges faced by marginalised women.

The HRFP-TFD event, held under the UN theme "For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment," brought together women from diverse backgrounds to raise awareness about discrimination and promote collective efforts toward a more inclusive society. Discussions centered on gender equality as a fundamental component of achieving the United Nations' 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

HRFP President Naveed Walter emphasized that gender equality is a basic human right and a key driver of economic development, productivity, and social progress. However, he pointed out that deep-rooted discrimination continues to limit women's opportunities, particularly in the workforce, where wage gaps and professional segregation persist.

Walter also highlighted the specific challenges faced by religious minority women, particularly Christian and Hindu communities in Pakistan. He noted that these women are disproportionately subjected to physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, as well as forced conversions and marriages.