ISLAMABAD: Women leaders from 120 districts across Pakistan called for equal rights, greater representation in decision-making and improved access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities at the 19th Annual Rural Women Leadership Training Conference, which concluded here on Thursday.
Organised by the Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy (PODA), the two-day conference brought together participants from all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The participants adopted a resolution demanding measures to protect women’s rights and ensure the inclusion of marginalised communities.
A statement issued by PODA said that the resolution called for universal birth registration of girls, faster issuance of B-Forms and national identity cards, increased girls’ school enrolment and improved access to voter registration. It also sought accessible polling facilities for women with disabilities and stronger enforcement of laws protecting women from harassment and violence.
The participants demanded a minimum marriage age of 18 across all provinces, enforcement of women’s property rights, and protection of minority women against forced conversion and marriage.
They also called for the distribution of state land to landless women farmers, interest-free loans and affordable insurance.
Addressing the concluding session, Sindh Minister for Women Development Shaheena Sher Ali highlighted provincial initiatives, including the Kisan Card, housing ownership for women, Pink Bus services and a taxi scheme. She urged women to raise their concerns, saying solutions began with bringing problems to the attention of authorities.
Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2026
