Asad Umar reiterates govt commitment to reduce gender disparity

January 6, 2022: Federal Minister Asad Umar reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing gender disparity and providing equal opportunities to young girls and women for actualizing their potential, excel, and contribute to economic prosperity while chairing a meeting on National Gender Policy Framework, said a press release issued today.

He appreciated the analytical work and asked for it to be translated into gender-specific policy actions that the federal and provincial governments must adopt and reflect in their upcoming programs and budgetary allocations.

The Minister was briefed on the governance and institutional initiatives that are planned to be rolled out by the Planning Commission for promoting gender integration across all national policies, programs, offices, and key management processes.

Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr. Jahanzeb Khan said that the Commission will generate Gender Based Budgeting Report to indicate gender focused interventions; develop gender focused action plans and M&E frameworks; and hold quarterly reviews against action plans and targets set in this regard.

Member Social Sector Dr. Shabnum Sarfraz highlighted the gender disparity at the education and employment level. There are 9.7 million out of school girls of primary school age. With 72 million women being in the working-age group, there are only 14 million (20%) in the labor force. She shared the findings of the survey rolled out across the ministry and said that the evidence is being used to guide the development of a program for promoting gender conducive work environment across all federal ministries and divisions in 2022-2023.

The Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives (MoPDSI), being cognizant of this dismal standing, has been pursuing Gender Parity as a priority agenda. An intensive nationwide multi-channel consultative exercise was conducted engaging ministries, provincial departments, subject experts, development partners, academicians, researchers, practitioners, and youth representatives.

The National Gender Policy Framework identifies focused, evidence-informed high-impact strategic priorities for accelerating progress on gender mainstreaming and development.

Press Release