ISLAMABAD: Emphasising the importance of amplifyingruralwomen`s voices through the platform of the Annual Rural Women Conference, Executive Director of Potohar Organiation for Development Advocacy (Poda) Sameena Nazir expressed appreciation for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz`s efforts to protect women`s and girls` rights.

She was speaking at the launching meeting of the report of the 17th Annual Rural Women Conference organised by Poda from 22 to 24 October 2024 in Islamabad.

Highlighting the conference proceedings, she said that the event brought together over 2,376 mainly rural women from 130 districts across Pakistan. It highlighted the critical issues faced by rural women, particularly their lack of recognition as `farmers`, which denies them to access government schemes and services intended for farmers.

The launch event was attended by a diverse group of prominent journalists, social and human rights activists, climate advocates, lawyers, academics, and experts from various fields.

Sameena Nazir stated that this platform uniquely reflects Pakistan`s diversity as a federation, bringing together representatives from all regions and walks of life concerning women`s issues. It bridges the gap between women and stakeholders, including the government, international donor organisations, and politicians. It also ensures policymakers gain insights from grassroots, she added.

`The pioneering women who first attended this conference are now leading initiatives across Pakistan, driving transformative change in their communities through organisations and businesses. Their powerful impact is inspiring, and it`s highly encouraging all connected to this platform, from participants to supporting organisations, who have contributed to its success, which is safeguarding human rights of all, specifically women and girls, enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan`, said Sameena Nazir.

Since 2008, she said, Poda has organised an annual conference in October, coinciding with the International Day of Rural Women. This year`s conference brought attention to crucial themes, including gender equality, economic empowerment, decision-making, political participation, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, legal identity, and eradication of child marriage. It placed specific emphasis on setting 18 years as a unified marriage age for girls in Pakistan,` she added.

The conference underscored the importance of addressing these interconnected issues to promote women`s empowerment and sustainable development, particularly in the face of climate change, which disproportionately affects women and girls in rural areas, necessitating targeted investments to support their resilience and adaptation efforts. Staff Reporter