Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sardar Muhammad Raza said on Tuesday that Election Commission of Pakistan stands firm to ensure equal participation of women in electoral activities.
International Women's Day is celebrated around the globe on 8th of March every year. In this connection, a seminar was held here at Election Commission Secretariat to celebrate International Women's Day.
In his address, the CEC reiterated the resolve to empower and bring women of Pakistan in the mainstream electoral processes.
He informed the participants that ECP has written a letter to all the heads of political parties for taking initiatives to improve women participation in electoral process. He expressed his hope that such efforts by ECP, political parties and other stakeholders will open the doors for women to play their role in the development of democracy in the country.
He further hoped that the draft Election Act 2017 will play a key role in enhancing women participation in the field of electioneering in Pakistan.
Ambassador of Sweden Ingrid Johansson actively participated in the event.
Secretary ECP Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad also shared his views on the importance of the Women's Day as well as the efforts which the ECP will be making to bring women in the electoral arena.
John Groark, Head of USAID, Judith Herbertson, Deputy Head of Office DFID Pakistan, and Ann Kofoed, First Secretary Head of Governance and Education Cooperation European Union, also shared initiatives of their respective organizations for empowerment of women in Pakistan.
Country Director IFES Shabir Ahmed made a presentation on the women in electoral leadership.
VC FJWU Samina Amin Qadir, Muddasar Rizvi from FAFEN, Chairperson NCSW Khawar Mumtaz and James Littleton from UNDP also shed light on different aspects of women empowerment in the context of Pakistan.