Yousaf Raza Gilani pushes for greater opportunities for women

Yousaf Raza Gilani pushes for greater opportunities for women

Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that no country can achieve sustainable development and lasting prosperity without empowering women, urging Muslim nations to strengthen their commitment to women’s rights and opportunities.

Addressing the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, Gilani said violence and discrimination against women remain among the biggest barriers to social and economic progress. He stressed that Muslim women have played a vital role throughout history in education, economic development, and nation-building, and deserve equal opportunities to contribute further.

Gilani highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to promote women’s rights, saying he introduced special measures against workplace harassment during his tenure as Chairman Senate. He added that protecting the rights of women and minorities has always remained one of his key priorities.

Reflecting on his time as prime minister, Gilani said women’s empowerment was a central objective of his government. He noted that Pakistan enacted the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention law in 2010 to combat acid attacks and approved legislation against forced marriages in 2011, describing both laws as important milestones in protecting women’s rights.

He also said Pakistan would continue to stand against injustice and violence targeting women. Gilani pointed to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as a major initiative that has helped improve the economic independence of millions of women. He added that his government also established the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus to strengthen female representation in the legislative process.

The Senate chairman said empowering women would lead to stronger families, healthier communities, and sustainable national development. He expressed confidence that continued investment in education and equal opportunities would enable thousands more women to contribute to Pakistan’s future.

Paying tribute to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Gilani described her as the first woman to lead a government in the Muslim world and a leading advocate for women’s rights. He said Pakistan has introduced significant legislation to safeguard women and promote gender equality.

Gilani urged member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to adopt practical and effective policies that improve the social and economic well-being of women, saying collective action would help build more inclusive and prosperous societies.