PM pledges protection of women rights to make them valuable citizens

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that his government is committed to ensuring empowerment of women as their participation in all walks of life is necessary for sustainable development.
"This is our national duty to protect the interests of women and provide them equal opportunities without any discrimination. I reaffirm my pledge for protection of women's rights in the country to make them valuable citizens and productive members of the society," said the Prime Minister in his message on the occasion of International Women Day, observed on Saturday.
He expressed the pleasure that Pakistani nation also joined the international community in celebrating the International Women's Day.
He said being a state party to the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Pakistan was committed to implement its provisions in true spirit. The government has already taken concrete measures to ensure women's rights as envisaged in the CEDAW, he added.
The Prime Minister said being cognizant of the situation of women, the government was continuously undertaking reforms so as to enable women to participate in all walks of life.
He said Pakistan had enacted effective legislation to address women issues with a view to safeguard their rights.
"I am glad to note that the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights is making all out efforts for protection and promotion of women's rights in collaboration with all the relevant stakeholders," he said.
Nawaz Sharif said he felt pride in stating that Pakistani women were participating in all sectors and many of them had excelled in their respective fields, not only in Pakistan, but also on the international level.
He urged all concerned to sincerely undertake legislative, administrative and social sector reforms to further create an enabling environment for women.
He also appreciated the UN agencies and non-governmental organizations for their efforts for continuously advocating and highlighting the women's rights and hoped that they would continue pursuing this important mission with the same zeal and vigour.