Purple Balloon Walk and Pledge for a “Planet 50-50 by 2030”
Date:
Author: Faria Salman
Muzaffarabad, Pakistan – Pakistani women and men walked side by side in a Purple Balloon Walk, with a call to “Step It Up for Gender Equality” and make “Planet 50-50” a reality by 2030. The walk was organized by UN Women - the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment - along with key partners.
With nearly 100 people holding purple and blue balloons, including representatives from the Government, civil society, development agencies and the UN, the uphill walk took place on 8 March 2016 from the Press Club to the Civil Secretariat in Muzaffarabad, State of Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK).
The rally for women’s rights was co-led by Farzana Yaqoob, the State Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development) and Shaheen Dar, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly.
Farzana Yaqoob in commemorating International Women’s Day conveyed that the government is “taking special measures to safeguard the rights of women in the State.”
Shaheen Dar recognized that women’s participation was critical to the development process and called for increased State level initiatives to promote women’s development. “If women and girls are not able to fully realize their rights and aspirations in all aspects of life, they will not be able to make decisions for a better future,” she said.
On behalf of UN Women, Bushra Shams, Gender Adviser shared that “Women are striving hard to find new opportunities and a better life for themselves and their families. Establishment of institutions, such as Women Development Directorate, Women Parliamentarian Caucus and State Commission on the Status of Women, are a ray hope for the women of PAK, as these will support and advocate for women’s access to education and economic independence.”
This event was part of a series of activities commemorating International Women’s Day which was followed by a seminar to highlight the importance of women’s rights in the Country and region. During the seminar around 50 women and men, representing the Women Development and other Government Departments, judiciary, youth, civil society, non-government organizations, UN and media, held placards and pledged their support for a “Planet 5050 by 2030” and committed to “Step It Up for Gender Equality.” The seminar was organized by ACT (Aiming Change for Tomorrow), State Government of Pakistan Administered Kashmir, WFP and UN Women.
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Please contact: Faria Salman
Strategic Management and Partnerships Officer & Communications Focal Point for UN Women Pakistan
Email: [ Click to reveal ]