Pakistan’s Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) and UN Women have emphasized the need for intensified cooperation on domestic-violence legislation, gender data systems, and improved policy follow-up mechanisms, marking a renewed commitment to tackling key challenges affecting women in the country.
According to an official report today, the strategic focus was a central outcome of a high-level meeting held on Tuesday between the WPC leadership and a visiting UN Women delegation, led by Ms. Christine Allan Arab, the Regional Director for Asia-Pacific.
Hosted by the WPC, the courtesy meeting was presided over by Dr. Shahida Rehmani, Secretary of the Caucus. The discussion was also attended by Members of the National Assembly Ms. Rana Ansar, Ms. Mah Jabeen Khan Abbasi, Ms. Huma Akhter Chughtai, and Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan. Mr. Jamshed Kazi, Country Representative for UN Women Pakistan, was also present.
During the session, the WPC leadership expressed its appreciation for UN Women”s sustained assistance in advancing gender-responsive legislation, building the capacity of women parliamentarians, and fostering the institutional development of the caucus at national and provincial levels.
The parliamentary body presented its Annual Report 2024-25, showcasing recent achievements including the fortification of provincial WPC chapters, the successful organisation of the National Women’s Convention 2025, and hosting the country”s first International Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Workshop.
‘Our work goes beyond legislation – it is about ensuring women’s voices, rights, and dignity are upheld at every level,’ stated Dr. Rehmani. ‘Partnering with UN Women has played a central role in advancing this mission, and we look forward to further deepening our collaboration.’
Ms. Arab commended the WPC for its leadership and reiterated the United Nations entity’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s efforts toward gender equality and women”s empowerment.
Both parties concluded by underscoring the importance of a strengthened future partnership, zeroing in on legislative and systemic improvements to better safeguard the rights and welfare of women.