The Asian Women's Forum, convened in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on May 13, served as a platform for leaders and advocates to discuss the best practices, experiences, and innovative approaches of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in promoting the rights and interests of women. Among the distinguished speakers was Azra Gul, representing Pak Women from Pakistan, and Her Excellency Mrs. Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan. Additionally, the forum featured a notable speech by an Omani diplomat.
Azra Gul, in her address, shed light on the impactful initiatives undertaken by Pak Women since its inception in 1998. Highlighting the organization's advocacy efforts and community projects, Gul emphasized the importance of empowering women and girls, including those with disabilities, minorities, and transgender individuals. She underscored the significance of initiatives such as facilitating national identity card registrations, advocating for reserved parliamentary seats, and providing legal aid services to women and girls affected by violence.
Pak Women has been actively engaged in advocacy efforts, collaborating with entities such as the Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) and the Provincial Government of Khyber mn (KP) to implement impactful projects. This includes securing a PKR 100 million allocation in the local Government Annual Development Plan/Budget 2014. Additionally, Pak Women has facilitated the registration of over 100,000 women, girls, persons with disabilities, and transgender individuals for national identity cards, thereby ensuring their legal identity.
The organization has also focused on enhancing educational opportunities, with efforts resulting in the enrollment and retention of more than 5,000 girls in Government Primary Schools, including Internally Displaced girls. They also provided vocational training to 500 Afghan refugee women and girls, along with technical training for 30 young girls in E-Commerce.
In addition to educational and vocational support, Pak Women has addressed critical issues such as violence and gender-based violence (GBV), providing free legal aid services to 700 women and girls in collaboration with the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, and UN Women/Women Peace and Humanitarian fund (WPHF). Moreover, the organization has established safe referral pathways to support victims of violence and GBV.
Pak Women's multifaceted approach encompasses livelihood improvements for youth with disabilities and their families, recovery assistance for women-led enterprises affected by natural disasters like the 2010 flood, and initiatives to strengthen political participation among women, girls, persons with disabilities, and transgender individuals.
Her Excellency Mrs. Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan, shared insights into Uzbekistan's commitment to women's empowerment, highlighting the country's progress in expanding economic opportunities, increasing rights and security, and advancing political participation for women.
https://twitter.com/DaryoEng/status/1789988516291551544In addition to Gul's and Narbaeva's speeches, an Omani diplomat delivered a powerful address, showcasing Oman's dedication to women's empowerment. The diplomat highlighted Oman's legislative framework, which ensures gender equality and protection of women's rights.
The Omani Labor Law also ensures gender equality in the workplace, providing preferential benefits to women, including safeguarding their social role and considering their unique characteristics. Women are entitled to paid maternity leave lasting ninety-eight days and have the right to own property, invest, and assume independent financial responsibilities, as safeguarded by Sharia texts. Women's economic participation surged to 32% in 2022. Additionally, to empower rural women, the government allocates 12 mn Omani riyals, equivalent to over $31 mn, for interest-free financing to support agricultural projects.
Furthermore, it's noteworthy that Muscat was designated as the capital of Arab women for the year 2024 during the forty-third session of the Arab Women’s Committee of the League of Arab States. Oman commemorates Omani Women’s Day on October 17 annually, celebrating their significant contributions and achievements across various sectors and institutions
Moreover, the diplomat underscored Oman's achievements in appointing women to prominent governmental positions, including ministerial roles, and its efforts to promote women's participation in various sectors.
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