On the occasion of International Women’s Day, a high-level consultative Iftar meeting was organized to promote coordination among Pakistan’s key national sectors. The event was hosted by Amna Munawwar Awan (President, Empower Her at COPAIR) and Zulekha (Head, Gender Unit, NDMA). Distinguished personalities from the bureaucracy, parliament, judiciary, media, and civil society participated in the gathering, which could aptly be described as a “galaxy of stars.”
The meeting proved to be an effective platform for bridging the gap between policy formulation and its practical implementation. Women leaders from various fields shared their experiences, insights, and ideas for strengthening cooperation and collective action.
Amna Munawwar Awan highlighted the mission of “Empower Her,” stating that its primary objective is to connect women from rural Pakistan with global institutions and provide them with training, guidance, and opportunities so that the empowerment of an individual woman becomes a source of empowerment for the entire nation.
Aisha Moriani (Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination) shed light on the achievements of the “One Daughter, One Tree” campaign. She noted that the initiative not only promotes environmental protection but also encourages girls and women to play an active role in eco-friendly activities.
Zulekha of the NDMA emphasized the importance of incorporating gender considerations into disaster response systems. She informed the participants that the institution has introduced special Gender Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) kits to ensure that the needs of women and girls are effectively addressed during emergencies.
Humaera Mufti (Secretary, National Commission on the Status of Women) and representatives from the Forum of South Asia Parliamentarians on Population and Development stressed the importance of nationwide campaigns to promote gender equality and the establishment of digital safety helplines for women.
Among the prominent women media leaders present were Sarah Zaman of Voice of America, Beeaa from Hum TV, Saima Sukhera from Roze TV, and Anam from PTV World. They expressed their commitment to highlighting these social initiatives so that women’s rights and empowerment remain a central part of the national discourse.
During the session, participants also held serious discussions on ongoing global conflicts and their disproportionate impact on women. On this occasion, Maimoona presented a roadmap for public-private partnerships aimed at benefiting from international experiences within the corporate sector to enhance women’s economic participation.
Similarly, Samina (PODA) stressed the urgent need to raise a strong voice against human rights violations in the context of rising regional tensions, urging the international community to play an effective role in addressing these concerns.
The meeting concluded with a collective prayer for global peace and security and a renewed commitment to promote a strong international campaign for advancing the global agenda of Women, Peace, and Security. Participants reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation, communication, and collaboration through this dynamic network in order to ensure a safe, dignified, and brighter future for every woman.
