Need for Exchange of Experiences in Women’s Political and Economic Participation, Peacebuilding, and Gender Equality Emphasized
Islamabad (Izhar Khan Niazi)
A meeting was held at the office of the Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) between Secretary Women Parliamentary Caucus Dr. Shahida Rehmani, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming Dr. Nafisa Shah, Treasurer Women Parliamentary Caucus Shahida Begum, and Thailand’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Rongvudh Virabutr. The participants discussed matters related to women’s empowerment, political participation, economic development, peacebuilding, and the promotion of bilateral cooperation.
At the outset of the meeting, the participants expressed condolences and sympathy to the people of Thailand and the Royal Family on the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati.
Dr. Shahida Rehmani appreciated the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Thailand and stated that parliamentary diplomacy can play a vital role in further strengthening bilateral ties. She noted that the Women Parliamentary Caucus serves as an effective parliamentary platform for promoting women’s rights, gender equality, and inclusive governance. She emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in the areas of women’s economic empowerment, digital inclusion, gender-responsive budgeting, leadership training, and parliamentary exchanges.
Dr. Nafisa Shah appreciated Thailand’s support for technical and beauty skills development programs for women and proposed expanding such initiatives to the provincial level across Pakistan. She also supported joint efforts to increase women’s participation in the agricultural sector. She stated that study visits and exchange programs between Pakistani and Thai women parliamentarians could prove beneficial for both countries. Furthermore, she highlighted the need for greater collaboration on women, peace and security initiatives, gender-responsive budgeting, and women’s development programs.
Shahida Begum proposed strengthening institutional linkages and exchange programs between women parliamentarians of both countries to create new opportunities for mutual learning and cooperation.
Thai Ambassador Rongvudh Virabutr reaffirmed his country’s commitment to women’s empowerment and informed the participants that Thailand is working with UN Women and the Women Parliamentary Caucus on various initiatives aimed at promoting women’s economic development. He highlighted an ongoing women’s economic empowerment project in Sialkot, as well as entrepreneurship training, vocational skills development, and efforts to enhance women’s participation in agriculture.
He further informed the meeting that the first phase of an agricultural training program has already commenced with 30 female participants, while additional training activities are scheduled for July and August.
The meeting also included discussions on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. The Thai Ambassador shared that Thailand is introducing a National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security and is interested in collaborating with Pakistan in this area. The participants agreed that closer cooperation between the two countries would be beneficial in promoting women’s roles in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and leadership.
On the occasion, women’s economic empowerment was recognized as a key factor in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, and both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in this regard.