ISLAMABAD: Retired inspectors general of police shed light on the global perspective on women’s empowerment, emphasising key principles advocated by the United Nations such as gender equality, gender mainstreaming and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Retired IGPs Dr Sultan Azam Temuri and Helena Iqbal spoke at an event on women empowerment at Islamabad Model College for Girls I-10/4. The event was organised by International Governance and Sustainability Institute (IG-SI).

Goal 5 of the agenda specifically focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls with targets ranging from the end of discrimination and violence to equal participation in leadership and decision-making, Dr Temuri said.

About the current state of gender equality in Pakistan, he referred to alarming statistics from the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023. Pakistan ranked 142nd out of 146 countries with significant disparities in economic participation and educational attainment, Mr Temuri added.

The event aimed to address crucial issues surrounding gender equality and women’s empowerment.

A notable segment of the event highlighted the gender strategy in the police force, advocating for increased female representation, visibility, capacity building, conducive living and working environments, and female networking. The Two Es Strategy and Approach – education and economic participation – were emphasised as essential elements in empowering women.

Success principles and practical steps were shared with the participants, encouraging women to focus on vision, passion, discipline and conscience. The event outlined practical steps such as counseling and mentorship programmes, scholarship initiatives and vocational training opportunities to empower women in various fields.

Helena Iqbal, who currently works as law enforcement and gender specialist at IG-SI, underscored the importance of education and personal development for women, urging them to believe in themselves and remain focused on their goals. She emphasised IG-SI’s commitment to supporting women and encouraged them to persevere in the face of challenges.

The event resonated with a message of hope and resilience. The participants were reminded that despite challenges, Pakistan had the potential for positive change.

In her welcome address, Principal Fatima Mobeen expressed her gratitude to the participants and highlighted the importance of empowering women in society.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2023