Pakistan has taken concerted actions for the economic and political empowerment of women in the country, the annual session of the UN Commission on Human Rights was informed on Tuesday.
Pakistan's delegation briefed the commission on human rights under Agenda item 12 "integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender" steps the government has taken for the uplift of women.
Pakistan had ensured representation of women in political decision-making by reserving 33 percent seats for women in legislative bodies.
The commission was told that over 36,000 women councillors had been empowered and were assisting in running the affairs of their communities.
Pakistan had one of the most progressive representative systems of women in the world.
The commission was also informed that Pakistan had focused on economic empowerment of women, especially in rural areas through provisions of easy access to micro-credit.
Concrete initiatives, like the Khushali Bank, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, the Pakistan Rural Support Programme as well as the First Women Bank were helping in alleviating poverty and ensuring the genuine empowerment of women.
In view of the commissions particular interest in ending violence against women, the Pakistan delegation informed the meeting about the steps being taken to curb such violence in Pakistan.
In this context, reference was made to the statement by the President at the opening of the 3rd meeting of the First Ladies of the Regional Steering Committee for the Advancement of Rural and Island Women in Islamabad in February 2004, condemning honour-killing.
The commission was also informed about the recent assurance given by the Minister of Interior in the Parliament that any relaxation on the part of the police in registering a case of honour-killing would be severely dealt with.
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