News DeskIslamabad, Pakistan: The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in collaboration with United Nations Women held the 20th Inter-Provincial Ministerial Group (IPMG) meeting in Islamabad. This group, established in 2009, was created to enhance provincial coordination on gender equality and women empowerment in Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Chairperson NCSW, Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar, and Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Country Representative UN Women Sharmeela Rasool and Ms. Andrea S. Hillyer Advisor Gender Security, Law & Justice, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. The meeting was also attended by representatives from all provinces including AJ & K, Gilgit Baltistan from the Bureau of Statistics, Planning and Development Departments, Women Development Departments and Provincial Commissions on the Status of Women.
One of the main agenda items of the meeting was the update on the National Gender Data Portal, an initiative to gather gender segregated data by the NCSW and UN Women.
The Chief Guest, Federal Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada stated in his opening statement that together, under a roof, we can bridge the gap of the minute cultural differences present. When we speak about the issues related to women, and the ways to tackle them, there will be a lot to learn in these two days and I hope we can make the best out of them.
In her address Chairperson NCSW Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar stated that National Gender Data Portal will not just create much more accurate international reports, it will also help policy makers and stakeholder organizations to take better and informed decisions with more accuracy in implementation.
She further said that the political situation these days in Pakistan is a huge challenge. The challenge like this puts women’s agenda on the back foot. However, we shall remain focused and steadfast and will do everything to take the agenda forward.
Later on, an update from the 67th session of the UN CSW was given by Ms. Saman Ahsan, Portfolio Manager UN Women and a presentation was made on the Gender Digital Divide Report by Ms. Shabana Arif, the National Gender Expert with NCSW.
