Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen Mazari has said Pakistan firmly believes that economic growth, sustainable development, peace and prosperity can only be achieved through women empowerment and gender equality.

In her statement during 65th Session of the Commission on Status of Women being held from 15-26 March, 2021 in New York, she said Pakistan remains committed to create an enabling and safe environment for women so that they can shatter the glass ceiling and overcome obstacles hindering them from their equal participation in decision making and public life.

She said the crisis emanating from the coronavirus pandemic has created an opportunity to take stock of the progress made globally in advancing the protection and promotion of the rights of women, and to reflect on the challenges that continue to stand in the way of women’s empowerment.

The theme of the Commission is women's full in and effective participation in decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

The Minister said protection and promotion of the rights of women is one of the key pillars of Pakistan's development paradigm as Islamic injunctions and the Constitution of Pakistan guarantee this.

She noted that Pakistan has also adopted a number of key international commitments to gender equality and women's human rights including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Sustainable Development Goals.