NEW YORK — Pakistan has called on the international community to take swift and decisive action to ensure that women and girls worldwide live free from poverty, violence, and inequality, with full access to opportunities for inclusive development.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly on the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged nations to renew the historic pledges made in Beijing with bold, measurable steps.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s strides in gender equality, noting women’s leadership in politics, the judiciary, civil service, law enforcement, and the armed forces. He cited milestones such as the election of the Muslim world’s first female prime minister and the recent appointment of Punjab’s first woman chief minister, Maryam Nawaz.
He also pointed to institutional reforms including gender-based violence courts, women’s police stations, and progressive legislation, alongside social initiatives like the Benazir Income Support Programme and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, which have helped women access finance and escape poverty.
While acknowledging progress, Dar emphasized that global advancement remains uneven. He called for increased investment through national budgets, international cooperation, and innovative partnerships to turn commitments into real change.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s dedication to women’s rights, Dar described the Beijing Declaration as the boldest global compact for gender equality and urged collective action to build a future where every woman and girl lives with dignity, safety, and opportunity.
