Minister of State Marvi Memon was conferred the Speaker's Democracy Award by Speaker of the House Of Commons John Bercow on Thursday.

The Speaker's Democracy Award is an internationally focused award which aims to celebrate individuals who through their leadership and personal courage have made an outstanding contribution to development of democratic societies, said a statement by the House of Commons.

Memon was nominated by MP Alex Salmond. Nominations for the award poured in from across the world.

The judges appreciated her performance as the chairman of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), responsible for empowering over 5.3 million women by giving them access to unconditional quarterly support stipend.

The panel also admired Memon's services in combating poverty and child nutrition in rural areas.

Her contribution towards gender equality and democratic settlement in Pakistan was also lauded by the judges as BISP encouraged millions of women to obtain national identity cards, thus enabling them to participate in the electoral process.

Opinion

Editorial

Cipher acquittal
Updated 04 Jun, 2024

Cipher acquittal

Our state, in its desperation to victimise another ex-PM, once again left them looking like more of a hero than they perhaps deserved to be.
China sojourn
04 Jun, 2024

China sojourn

AS the prime minister begins his five-day visit to China today, investment — particularly to reinvigorate the...
Measles resurgence
04 Jun, 2024

Measles resurgence

THE alarming rise in measles cases across Pakistan signals a burgeoning public health crisis that demands immediate...
Large projects again?
Updated 03 Jun, 2024

Large projects again?

Government must focus on debt sustainability by curtailing its spending and mobilising more resources.
Local power
03 Jun, 2024

Local power

A SIGNIFICANT policy paper was recently debated at an HRCP gathering, calling for the constitutional protection of...
Child-friendly courts
03 Jun, 2024

Child-friendly courts

IN a country where the child rights debate has been a belated one, it is heartening to note that a recent Supreme...