ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Friday emphasised that empowering women and ensuring their full participation in all sectors was vital for national progress.

Speaking on the eve of International Women`s Day, observed globally on March 8, he reiterated the importance of gender equality in building a prosperous society.

In a statement issued here, he highlighted that Islam grants women dignity and equal rights, strictly opposing any form of gender discrimination.

Urging a shift in societal attitudes, he called for inclusive policies that enhanced women`s role in economic and social spheres.

He reaffirmed the parliament`s commitment to implementing measures that secure women`s rights and provide them with opportunities to contribute to the country`s development.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq acknowledged the active participation of women in Pakistan`s parliament, where they played a crucial role in legislative affairs. He praised the efforts of the Women`s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) and the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming in advocating for gender equality.

He also lauded Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif`s initiatives for women`s education, healthcare and employment, underscoring the significance of these contributions to nationalwelfare.

Reflecting on Pakistan`s history, he paid tribute to the pivotal roles of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan, Begum Jahan Ara Shahnawaz and Begum Shaista Ikramullah in the Pakistan Movement.

He noted that their leadership and sacrifices laid the foundation for women`s empowerment in the country.

He also honoured Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as the first female PrimeMinister of the Muslim world, emphasising her contributions to democracy and women`s rights.

Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Mir Ghulam Mustafa Shah echoed these sentiments, stressing that women comprise more than half of Pakistan`s population and their active involvement is crucial for sustainable development.

He reaffirmed that the Constitution guarantees women protection, access to education, employment and freedom to participate in political and social spheres.

He also paid tribute to Benazir Bhutto`s legacy, noting her struggle for democracy and leadership in shaping a progressive Pakistan. Mr Sadiq expressed confidence that the parliament would continue promoting policies for women`s empowerment, ensuring their greater participation in national development.

Meanwhile, marking International Women`s Day, the WPC reiterated its dedication to advancing gender equality, safeguarding women`s rights and ensuring their full participation in all spheres of life.

MNA Dr Shahida Rehmani, who is the secretary of WPC, emphasised the need for accelerated action to dismantle barriers to equality and empower women across Pakistan.

Dr Shahida Rehmani highlighted that this year`s global theme, `Accelerate Action,` aligned with Pakistan`s ongoing efforts to promote inclusive policies and strengthen legislative frameworks for gender justice.

She stressed the importance of policy reforms in building a just and equitable society.

`While we celebrate the achievements of women in Pakistan, we must also acknowledge the challenges that remain,` she stated. She reaffirmed WPC`s commitment to advocating for stronger legal protections, economic empowerment and enhanced politicalparticipation for women.

A statement issued here said that the WPC, in collaboration with national and international partners, continued to drive key initiatives for women`s empowerment.

These include strengthening laws against gender-based violence and discrimination to ensure women`s safety and security, expanding educational and economic opportunities to enable women and girls to contribute meaningfully to national progress and enhancing women`s representation in leadership and decision-making roles for a more inclusive governance structure.

Dr Shahida Rehmani called on all stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society and the private sector, to work together in accelerating gender equality efforts.

`Empowering women is not just a matter of justice; it is essential for the prosperity and development of our nation,` she asserted.

On International Women`s Day, the WPC urged society to reaffirm its commitment to breaking barriers and fostering a future where every woman and girl in Pakistan can thrive with dignity, security, and equal opportunities.

Women underrepresented in press clubs A report on women`s representation in Pakistan`s press clubs and journalist unions has found that female journalists remain largely excluded from leadership positions and decision-making roles.

The report, From Margins to Mainstream: Women Representation in Press Clubs and Unions in Pakistan, was released by Freedom Network in collaboration with the Women Journalists Association of Pakistan (WJAP) and International Media Support (IMS). It surveyed 11 cities and found that women made up `only a small fraction` of press clubs and union memberships.The report`s release coincides with International Women`s Day, being observed globally today (Saturday) March 8, including Pakistan, underscored the ongoing struggle for gender equity in media leadership. The study aims to assess the extent to which press clubs and unions in Pakistan prioritised gender inclusivity in journalism.

According to the report, some press clubs, such as one in Gujranwala district in Punjab province, have `no female members at all`.

In major cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, women`s representation in press clubs remained below 10pc of total membership. Even where women are members, their participation in elections is hindered by `bias, lack of male support, and institutional barriers.

In journalist unions, Lahore leads with 300 women members, followed by Karachi with 125 out of 1,800, while many cities lack formal records on gender representation in journalist unions.

`Women journalists made up only six percent in Rawalpindi-Islamabad and seven percent in Karachi, with minimal presence in Multan,` the report findings said.

`Leadership gaps persist, as only Karachi includes women in elected cabinets of unions, while others, including Peshawar and Multan, have none.

The report surveyed 21 current and former office bearers of press clubs and journalist unions to document their experiences about their efforts to promote gender equity in media in Pakistan. Respondents identified key challenges, including `exclusion from decision-making, limited access to leadership, bias in election processes, and systemic barriers that prevent` women from fully participating in these institutions. Several office bearers reported `facing skepticism about their leadership abilities and a lack of institutional support.