Islamabad(PR):Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson together with UN Women today hosted a panel discussion on opportunities for the economic empowerment of Pakistani women. The discussion brought together a number of influential Pakistanis from government, civil society and media to discuss opportunities to accelerate women\u2019s economic empowerment, including through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
\nThe panel included keynote speaker Dr. Zahir Shah, Project Director and CPEC coordinator Ministry Planning Development and Reform; Naeem-uz-Zafar, Member Social Sector Ministry Planning Development and Reform; Syed M. Nawab, UNDP Women\u2019s Economic Empowerment Advisor; Guntur Sugiyartu, ADB Principal Economist; and Dr. Fouzia Saeed, Director Lok Virsa.
\nHigh Commissioner Adamson said Pakistan had immense potential waiting to be unlocked in the form of its talented women.
\n\u201cThe lives of Pakistani women are changing rapidly. It will be vital for a prosperous Pakistan to facilitate an environment which provides enough economic opportunities to engage women. I encourage the development of policies which seek to maximise the participation of women throughout Pakistan\u2019s economy,\u201d Ms Adamson said. \u201cThe Australian Government is actively exploring avenues for increased skills development and opportunities for women\u2019s entrepreneurship in Pakistan, particularly in education, agribusiness and the broader agriculture sector,\u201d she said.
\nSangeeta Thapa, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women said: \u201cCPEC presents a huge economic opportunity to improve gender parity and accelerate Pakistan\u2019s economic growth. To capitalise on this opportunity, structural barriers within Pakistan that limit women\u2019s economic potential will need to addressed.\u201d
\nDr Fouzia Saeed, Director Lok Virsa said: “Any economic development initiative has an empowering impact on women. Their access in terms of mobility, opportunities for progress, livelihoods and taking charge of their lives increases.”
\nThe discussion was part of a series held by the Inter Agency Gender and Development Group (INGAD) of donors and multilateral agencies working to promote gender equality and interagency coordination in Pakistan since 1985. Australia and UN Women are co-chairs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad(PR):Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson together with UN Women today hosted a panel discussion on opportunities for the economic empowerment of Pakistani women. The discussion brought together a number of influential Pakistanis from government, civil society and media to discuss opportunities to accelerate women\u2019s economic empowerment, including through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3827","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n