First Lady, Begum SaminaAlvi on Friday said that education was the key to unlocking full potential of women and girls as investing in their education and empowering them with knowledge and skills would help creating a more equitable and prosperous society for all.
“Education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about empowering individuals to become agents of change in their communities and beyond,” she said while addressing an event organized in connection with the International Women Day by Serena Hotels.
She stressed to pledge to work towards gender equality in all spheres of life, including technology and innovation.
“Together, we can create a future where women have equal access to opportunities and can contribute fully to society,” she said, adding currently, the ratio of women in Pakistan was almost 50 percent, but the country still had a long way to go in terms of their inclusion and empowerment.
“According to the Global Gender Gap Index-2023, Pakistan ranked at 142nd position out of 146 countries.
This represents a very sorry state of affairs due to low economic participation, educational attainment, access to healthcare services and workforce participation. These challenges are not just obstacles; they are injustices that must be addressed with urgency and determination,” she remarked.
She highlighted that Pakistan, as a member state of the United Nations, fully endorsed the Charter of the United Nations which strived to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination of gender.
The constitution of Pakistan also ensured fundamental rights and provided ample guarantees to women against all forms of discrimination, exploitation and marginalization, in addition to the right to equality, to grow and lead a healthy and prosperous life, she said.
