ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch on Tuesday emphasised the need for enactment and enforcement of laws protecting women`s rights, increased women`s leadership representation, bridging the gender pay gap and ensuring access to quality education.

She reaffirmed Pakistan`s unwavering commitment to equality, justice, and empowerment for all.

She expressed these views in a video message at a conference organised by the Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). The conference, `Accelerate action: strategic imperatives for advancing gender equality` was held to commemorate International Women`s Day.

Ms Baloch underscored the vital role of Pakistani women in global peace and cooperation, noting that over 500 Pakistaniwomen peacekeepers had served in UN missions. She also recognised the achievements of women entrepreneurs and artists who continue to inspire.

However, she acknowledged persistent challenges, often compounded by economic instability, climate change and conflict with women in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine facing severe hardships and human rights violations.

Pakistan Academy of Letters Chairperson Dr Najeeba Arif said gender equality was an urgent necessity requiring thoughtful action. However, equality should not be mistaken for uniformity. Rather than expecting women to conform to traditionally male-defined roles, their distinct contributions across all spheres must be valued. She said a nuanced approach must recognise the economic and social worth of women`s work, both within and beyond the household.

Institutional recognition and fair compensation for domestic labour can empower women and shift societal perceptions.

Future strategies should critically assess norms to avoid reinforcing outdated models.

A stable family unit is vital for nurturing well-rounded individuals and fostering social cohesion. Drawing from welfare states that support full-time car-egivers, policies must adopt a balanced approach that values diversity while promoting equitable opportunities for all.

Dr Salma Malik, Professor at QAU, said while Pakistan had robust legal frameworks for women`s protection, their implementation remained weak often turning the justice-seeking process into an ordeal due to societal stigma.

Deep-rooted stereotypes further marginalise women, discouraging them from asserting theirrights.Sheunderscoredthe needforgenderequityasafoundation for gender equality and highlighted the lack of structured mentorship as a major barrier to women`s professional growth and leadership.

Similarly, Rashid Chaudhry, National Coordinator at Fafen, highlighted the limitations of a tokenistic approach to women`s political representation, stressing the need for genuine empowerment. He pointed out that electoral politics remains a patriarchal space where systemic and cultural barriers limit women`s participation at all levels.

Reem Sharif, Deputy Director at the Transgender Protection Centre, called for informed discourse on gender diversity, emphasising that gender was not binary.

Kosar Bano, a gender expert hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan,highlighted the stark gender disparities in mountainous regions where women face extreme hardships, including limited access to clean water and education. She warned that AI-driven changes and external influences were disrupting traditional roles, further marginalising women in these remote areas.

DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted both the progress and challenges in advancing gender equality.

Citing UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, he acknowledged that while women and girls had broken barriers and defied stereotypes, their rights remained under attack due to violence, discrimination, economic inequality, and emerging threats like algorithmic bias.

He reaffirmed Pakistan`s historical commitment to women`s empowerment, inspired by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah`s vision and recognised the contributions of trailblazers like Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Raa`na Liaquat Ali Khan and Begum Shaista Ikramullah.

Pakistan has achieved significant milestones, including electing the first female prime minister in the Islamic world and appointing women to key positions in diplomacy, government, judiciary, and international organisations.