Zartaj Gul (Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs) First of all I would like to congratulate the entire nation on International Women Day being celebrated across the globe. The theme of this year's International Women's Day is: "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow". I would like to request people to raise their voices against violation of women rights. Prime Minister Imran Khan from day one has been talking about women empowerment. Empowering women is in the manifesto of PTI as well. The right of women specified a share of inheritance and entitlement to own and possess property, enshrined in the Quranic edicts and duly regulated by State legislation. The Prime Minister in his address also stated that holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyeen (PBUH) gave the rights to women about fifteen hundred years ago. Women in Pakistan are playing an important role in all fields of life and contributing to the economic development of the country. The incumbent government has allocated special quotas for women in government's jobs and other fields of life. An example regarding empowering women has been set by the present government as a number of women parliamentarians heading certain ministries including Dr. Shireen Rehman, Zubaida Jalal, Dr. Fehmida Mirza, myself and many others.  

Dr Sania Nishtar (Special Assistant to Prime Minister) Ehsaas program launched by the incumbent government is aimed to support the women in the country. Initially, 50% quota was allocated to the female society in the program but after three years of its implementation, the quota has been increased to almost 98%. In Ehsaas program, the girls are getting more stipend amount as compared to the boys. Moreover, as per the policy, the girls are getting 50% of total scholarships provided by the government.

Nilofar Bakhtiar (Chairperson, National Commission on the Status of Women) Like many other countries, Pakistan is doing a great job for women empowerment. We have a three star female general in the Pakistan Army. Justice Ayesha A. Malik became the first female judge of the Supreme Court in the history of Pakistan. In the past, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed became the first ever Pakistani woman to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. It is good development that the present government ensured representation of women in every field and today majority of women parliamentarians from the PTI are also in the congregation to show women empowerment. However, there is a big challenge of increased violence against women not only in Pakistan but across the globe. It is the responsibility of the society in collaboration with the judiciary, law enforcement agencies to play their role for women's protection against the violence. The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees Fundamental Rights including the right to life, liberty, dignity, property, equality and gives due respect to women in society and guarantees their right of ownership.