QUETTA: The provincial chapters of the Commission on the Status of Women and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan; MHM Technical Working Group and Forum for Dignity Initiatives have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote gender equality, women’s health, basic rights and empowerment in Balochistan.

Under the agreement, the bodies will work together to provide equal opportunities for women, raise awareness about their rights, and implement laws and policies related to their empowerment, according to a press release.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Uzma Yaqoob of Forum for Dignity Initiatives, Fauzia Shaheen, Dr Tahira Kamal Baloch and Farukhanda Orangzeb emphasised the need for practical implementation of laws and policies related to women’s rights.

They stressed the need to ensure gender equality, which requires active participation of the government and other segments of society.

They noted that education and health are provincial subjects, and improving administrative structures at the provincial level can help address most population-related issues.

No society can progress without women’s education, but unfortunately, the literacy rate among women in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, is alarmingly low, the speakers lamented.They urged the government and non-governmental organisations to take immediate action to address this issue.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2024