The second phase of “The Next Horizon” conference series, launched by the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in collaboration with UN Women, aims to establish a thorough National Agenda for promoting women’s economic empowerment and increasing their political influence. The primary objective of these conferences is to facilitate inclusive dialogue that will shape policies and strategies to empower women and girls across the country.
Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson of NCSW, in her opening remarks, stated, “Empowering women economically is the cornerstone of a prosperous Pakistan. By addressing the challenges they face and ensuring equal opportunities, we can unlock their full potential and drive sustainable development for all.”
Saman Ahsan of OIC UN Women said that “Creating a resilient and equitable society requires formalizing and supporting home-based workers, empowering women in agriculture, transforming the care economy, and ensuring safe and fair work conditions. These initiatives enhance economic stability and advance social justice and gender equality.”
While addressing the closing remarks, Senator Saleem Mandviwala, Chairman Senate Standing committee on Finance stated “Recognizing the significant contributions of home-based workers, particularly women, to Pakistan’s economy, it is imperative to formalize their work and ensure they receive adequate social and economic support. By strengthening laws, facilitating access to microfinance, extending social protection, enforcing fair wages, and supporting unions, we can create a more inclusive and equitable economy. These measures will improve conditions and economic stability for these workers, contributing to our nation’s overall growth and prosperity.”
Filmstar Fawad Khan was also present at the event and championed the cause of women’s economic empowerment, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities and rights for women to unlock their full potential.
The conference also featured the launch of the report “Empowering Women and Girls: Tackling Poverty, Institutional and Financing Challenges for Gender Equality.” The report is produced by a consortium of partners, including NCSW, UN Women, UNDP, UNICEF, and UNFPA. The report highlighted the need for gender-responsive financing mechanisms and institutional strengthening, offering actionable insights to accelerate progress toward gender equality and empowerment.
The conference gathered leading experts and stakeholders, including representatives from UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women. Together, they highlighted the importance of economic empowerment for women and discussed strategies to overcome existing barriers.
