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ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s president and prime minister emphasized that protecting women&rsquo;s rights and enabling their meaningful participation in society are crucial for national growth and prosperity. They said this in separate messages honoring women worldwide, including Pakistan, on <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/on-womens-day-indias-gender-reality-tells-another-story" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">International Women&rsquo;s Day</a>. In his message, President Zardari extended greetings to the women of Pakistan and across the world. He said the day serves as a reminder of the central role women play in the life of every nation. The country&rsquo;s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he said, &ldquo;made it clear that no country can progress without the full participation of its women.&rdquo; He said that the principle remains relevant and guides national efforts. He said that women in public institutions, the private sector, and communities across the country continue to contribute with &ldquo;dedication and skill.&rdquo; From &ldquo;cockpits to tractor steering wheels, from intensive care units to classrooms, from sports fields to the floor of Parliament, Pakistani women have stepped forward wherever the nation has needed their talent and determination.&rdquo; &ldquo;They have taken part in public service and civic engagement and have also led historic democratic movements, including reaching the office of the prime minister,&rdquo; he stated. The president also recalled the &ldquo;Mother of the Nation&rdquo;, Fatima Jinnah, who stood for constitutional rule and democratic values at a critical time. He said that her courage strengthened the path for greater participation of women in public life. He said Pakistan has ensured women&rsquo;s representation in Parliament and provincial assemblies through constitutional provisions that enable women to play a direct role in legislation and public policy. Referring to this year&rsquo;s&nbsp;UN theme, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/formal-justice-eludes-afghan-women-under-taliban-authorities-un" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls</a>,&rdquo; the president said removing barriers to&nbsp;opportunity remains essential.&nbsp; &ldquo;Equal rights determine whether a girl completes her education, whether a woman can work without harassment and whether she can inherit property, open a bank account or seek protection through the courts,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;In rural areas,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;women play a vital role in agriculture and livestock, sustaining households and local economies while managing family responsibilities.&rdquo; The president said Pakistan&rsquo;s constitution guarantees equality and fundamental rights to every citizen. Pakistan is also committed to its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which requires action against discrimination in public and private spheres. Zardari said educating girls strengthens families and communities. He said social protection and empowerment initiatives by provincial and federal governments aim to improve financial security and expand economic and digital opportunity. &nbsp;&ldquo;The measure of our commitment will be seen in outcomes that improve the everyday lives of our mothers, daughters and sisters,&rdquo; he said. Prime Minister&rsquo;s message In a separate message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said protection of women&rsquo;s rights guarantees sustainable development and national prosperity. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, PM Sharif paid tribute to women in Pakistan and around the world and expressed goodwill toward women, especially Pakistani mothers, sisters and daughters. He said this year&rsquo;s International Women&rsquo;s Day theme set by the UN reflects a commitment to protecting women&rsquo;s rights. The prime minister said the hard work, determination and courage of women and their services in every sphere of life are a source of pride and strength for the nation. Women play a key role not only in families but also in society and the nation. From education to sports, from homes to government, the perseverance and achievements of Pakistani women are playing a role in building a strong and prosperous country, he stated He said women have opened new paths for coming generations in positions including prime minister, speaker of the assembly, chief minister, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, health, education, business and the armed forces. The prime minister said the Pakistani government is committed to ensuring an environment where women can realize their full potential without discrimination or fear. &ldquo;Pakistan has effective legislation in place to protect women&rsquo;s rights,&rdquo; he said, describing it as a reflection of national resolve against harassment and exploitation. He stated that women&rsquo;s access to quality education, financial inclusion, support for women entrepreneurs, safety at work and effective measures against harassment and violence were among the government&rsquo;s top priorities. He called for collective efforts to create a society where every woman has equal opportunities for respect, dignity and development so that Pakistan can move toward a more just, developed and inclusive future.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to women in Pakistan and around the world on International Women’s Day. (MOFA)

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In separate messages on International Women's Day, they emphasize that protecting women’s rights and ensuring their full participation in society remain essential for national progress and sustainable prosperity.

Women’s rights essential to national progress, say Pakistan president, PM

ISLAMABAD: To end all forms of violence against women and girls, particularly digital violence, the government of Pakistan has&nbsp;improved online safety tools and enhanced reporting mechanisms. The measures also include strengthening protection for women and children against harmful content through National Strategy on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence. The government also continues to support systems designed to improve safety for women, including the National Commission on the Status of Women, the Family Protection Center, the 1099 Helpline, and the National Policy on Ending Violence Against Women. National Strategy on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)According to a UNDP report, nearly 90% of cyber harassment complaints filed with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) are from women, with 45% of working women reporting online abuse and 15% quitting their jobs as a result. According to the report, the project is contributing to a safer and more inclusive digital and offline environment for women, youth, and marginalized communities across Pakistan.&nbsp; Through legal reform, institutional strengthening, and survivor-centered digital interventions, this initiative is empowering aff&shy;ected individuals, improving access to justice, and strengthening national and provincial ownership to sustainably address TFGBV. National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW)Pakistan government&rsquo;s NCSW undertakes and encourages research and data generations as evidence for policies, action and monitoring as a central component of its work. Based on data from different sources, it showcases various indicators such as women&rsquo;s household decision making power, financial autonomy, freedom of movement, political participation, acceptance of unequal gender roles, exposure to media, access to education, experience of domestic violence etc. Family Protection and Rehabilitation Center for Women (FPRCW)Functioning under Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Human Rights, Family Protection &amp; Rehabilitation Center for Women exists to provide free medical/first aid to victims of violence, free legal assistance/aid, and to do liaise with agencies competent to redress grievances of women at individual and collective levels, especially those concerned with combating violence against women (VAW). Toll free helpline 1099A Toll-Free Number 1099 offers access to callers from all over the country (with no cost at all) to get free legal advice, counseling, legal assistance and referral service for redressal of their grievances. The helpline since its establishment has received almost 1.5 million calls till May 2025 and has provided its services in almost 60,000 relevant cases, according to the Ministry of Human Rights&rsquo; website.&nbsp; Zero-tolerance policy&nbsp;Pakistan Human Rights Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday reaffirmed the government&rsquo;s zero-tolerance policy on violence against women, underscoring a wide range of national protections, legal reforms, and institutional support systems already put in place to safeguard women and girls. Citing strengthened national protections and continued international commitments, he highlighted the government&rsquo;s ongoing efforts at a national event marking the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts. Protection Against Harassment of Women at the WorkplaceEmphasizing Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment &ldquo;to ending all forms of violence against women and girls, particularly the growing threat of digital violence,&rdquo; Tarar pointed to legislative and policy reforms as key pillars of the government&rsquo;s approach. He referenced measures such as the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Amendment) Act 2022, the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021, the Enforcement of Women&rsquo;s Property Rights Act 2020, and the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2018, laws aimed at strengthening accountability and expanding protections for women.

Pakistan has intensified efforts to end violence against women through strengthened laws, digital-safety reforms, support services, and national institutions, aiming to enhance protection, improve justice access, and create safer online environments for women across Pakistan.

Articles tagged with "Women in Pakistan"

Women’s rights essential to national progress, say Pakistan president, PM

Pakistan ups the ante to end violence against women