Achievements of Pakistani women celebrated

Islamabad

Achievements of Pakistani women were celebrated at an event jointly organised by USAID-supported Gender Equity Programme (GEP) of Aurat Foundation and UN Women to mark the International Women’s Day.

The event featured sharing of inspiration success stories by the beneficiaries of USAID and GEP. The Country Representative of UN Women Jamshed Kazi and Chief Operating Officer of Aurat Foundation Naeem Mirza delivered remarks on this occasion. They expressed admiration for the immense resilience and potential of Pakistani women and discussed their struggle for equality within the context of global women’s movements.

They said that the accomplishments of outstanding Pakistani women serve as motivational examples reflecting this year’s International Women’s Day theme of ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality’.

Attiya is a home-based worker from Rawalpindi and a beneficiary of GEP shared that despite being an educated woman, she was unaware of labour laws until she was trained under the project. “My co-workers and I learnt about the ILO convention, the rights of home-based workers and laws against harassment at the workplace,” she said.

Fazeelat from Kasur also shared her experiences with the audience. As a beneficiary of UN Women, she transformed into an independent entrepreneur from a home-based worker. With the skills and training she had received, she has started her own mohallah-based organisation called Jazba. She now runs a successful business of handbags and school bags.

The lively event included theatrical and musical performances on the theme of women’s empowerment in addition to a panel discussion in which prominent women from diverse fields took part.