To mark the 75th anniversary of Canada-Pakistan diplomatic relations, HC of Canada to Pakistan H.E Wendy Gilmour hosted a panel discussion to take stock of efforts underway to achieve gender equality & to reflect on the way forward.
A unique all-women panel of experts addressed key crosscutting issues including women’s economic empowerment, violence against women, access to justice, family planning, and women’s political participation.
The all-female panel of experts comprised Roshaneh Zafar, Founder, Kashf Foundation; Rabiya Javeri Agha, Chairperson, National Commission for Human Rights; Zeba Sathar, Country Director, Population Council Pakistan; and Nighat Siddique, Additional Director General, Gender Affairs, Election Commission of Pakistan. Hina Jilani, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, also delivered keynote remarks.
Addressing an audience composed of civil society representatives, Canada’s development partners in Pakistan, and members of the diplomatic community, the panellists addressed key crosscutting issues including women’s economic empowerment, violence against women and access to justice, health and family planning, and women’s political participation. The event was organized in the context of the 75th anniversary of Canada-Pakistan bilateral relations, and presented an opportunity to reflect collectively on the way forward for Canada’s international assistance in Pakistan.
Discussing women’s rights in Pakistan, keynote speaker Hina Jilani underscored the importance of civil society’s role in progress towards gender equality, as well as the impact of international public opinion and advocacy from countries such as Canada. Panellists discussed the various systemic barriers faced by women in terms of participation in all spheres of society and the full enjoyment of their rights. While engaging with participants, they also described the continuing challenges hampering impact on the ground as well as recent successes in their respective fields.
In her remarks, High Commissioner Wendy Gilmour highlighted the importance of supporting all dimensions of women and girls’ empowerment in Canada’s engagement with Pakistan. She reflected on the devastation inflicted by this year’s floods and how disaster situations affect women the most. However, she also recognized the exceptional actors of change she had the privilege to meet during her four years as High Commissioner to Pakistan and assured everyone that she was leaving optimistic about the quality of partners on the ground and their ability to work on women and girls issues.
