ISLAMABAD, March 11 (ABC): The Women Welfare & Development Center of the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR), in collaboration with Rozan, organized a high-level International Women’s Day event that brought together senior government officials, civil society leaders, disability rights advocates, and representatives from the private sector.
The event, themed “Beyond Celebration: Inclusive Protection, Justice & Empowerment for All Women,” moved beyond symbolic recognition and focused on substantive dialogue about the structural reforms required to advance women’s rights across Pakistan.
The gathering included opening remarks, a multi-stakeholder panel discussion, and closing remarks by Ms Gulmina Bilal, Chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), who emphasized the government’s commitment to placing women’s protection and empowerment at the center of national policy.
“Empowering women is not just a social responsibility; it is a national priority that shapes the future of our society,” said Ms Gulmina Bilal.
Ms Asmat Afridi, Deputy Director of the Women Welfare & Development Center, opened the event by calling for renewed commitment to ensuring that every woman — regardless of age, ability, or background — can access her rights.
Ms Fouzia Yasmin, Director Programmes at Rozan, highlighted that empowerment goes beyond economic independence and includes emotional resilience, informed choice, and the dignity to exercise rights with confidence. “I hope today’s discussions inspire us to translate ideas into action, ensuring that empowerment is not just celebrated but realized across every community in Pakistan,” she said.
The centerpiece of the event was a panel discussion titled “Role of Institutions for Advancing Women’s Rights,” moderated by Ms Meerab Lodhi, Senior Manager at Rozan.
The panel featured Ms Shabana Nawaz, Director Social Welfare at MoHR; Ms Laila Naz Taj, Director Communications at Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Pakistan; Ms Abia Akram, disability rights activist; Ms Rabia Farhan, Vice President of the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Banking and Finance; Ms Sameena Gul, Chairperson of the Forum for Awareness and Integrated Development (FAID); and Ms Gulmina Bilal, Chairperson of NAVTTC.
Panelists emphasized the need to strengthen institutional mechanisms for survivor support, improve inter-agency coordination, and promote women’s economic and social empowerment through government structures. They also stressed the importance of amplifying women’s voices in decision-making and encouraging young women to emerge as leaders and innovators within their communities.
The discussion also focused on community-driven development, financial inclusion, and grassroots economic empowerment. Participants highlighted the barriers faced by women with disabilities and called for systemic reforms to ensure inclusive protection and expanded economic opportunities.
Speakers further pointed to the intersectional challenges faced by older women and those from marginalized communities. They stressed the need to prioritize support for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and to challenge restrictive gender norms through non-traditional training pathways and inclusive policy frameworks.
International Women’s Day event highlights inclusive protection, empowerment for women
