ISLAMABAD:Sustainabledevelopmentcannotbeachieved if women are not part of the development agenda, said head of aid at the Canadian high commission, Daniel Joly on Thursday.

Speaking at a conference titled `Empowering Women for Growth and Prosperity: from evidence to policy` arranged to discuss the impact of climate change on women, Ms Joly said climate change has had a great impact on those who rely on natural resources for their livelihoods, which includes women as well. She said women can play a big role in fighting climate change due to their local knowledge.

The event was organised by a local NGO, Lead.

Head of Department for International Development, Pakistan, Joanna Reid said: `No country has achieved prosperity without harnessing the potential of women. Unfortunately, in Pakistan women are disproportionately affected by many issues. There is a need to provide better education to women and girls and empowering them to make their choices by themselves.

Lead Pakistan`s Ali Taugeer Sheikh referred to a study by his NGO which looked into environmental degradation, climate change and the economic empowerment of women based on a household survey conducted in Dhaka, Delhi, Lahore and Islamabad.

`Women are particularly vulnerable to climate change events and environmental degradation in urban areas. There is a dire need for smart and inclusive policy making by the government to ensure no one is left behind,` he said.

The contributions of women towards the economy are not reflected in many of the statistics. Women contribute about Rs400 billion to the economy a year, said National Commission on the Status of Women Chairperson Khawar Mumtaz.

As global rankings on gender disparities list Pakistan among the worst in the world, the conference aimed to stir a debate calling for female participation in economic activities, which will promote sustainable and inclusive economic development in the country. Staff Reporter