Pakistan Minister: Men's Active Role Crucial for Gender Equality at OIC Conference
Pakistan's Law and Human Rights Minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, emphasized the necessity of men and boys actively participating in the promotion of gender equality during a conference in Islamabad. Speaking on the final day of the 9th Ministerial Conference on Women, hosted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Tarar highlighted Pakistan's commitment to enhancing its legal and institutional frameworks for women's advancement. He stated that sustainable progress requires men to be partners in fostering equality, respect, and shared responsibility, asserting that women cannot achieve lasting progress alone. The minister described building inclusive societies as a collective effort involving all institutions and citizens. He further declared that women's empowerment is a national priority for Pakistan, rooted in its Constitution, religious principles, and future aspirations. The conference, attended by delegates from 57 OIC member states, included technical meetings on Sunday and concluded on Monday.
The minister's statement frames gender equality as a shared responsibility, advocating for male partnership in achieving progress. This perspective shifts the discourse from solely women-centric initiatives to a more inclusive model, potentially fostering broader societal buy-in. From a systemic viewpoint, integrating men and boys into equality frameworks can address deeply ingrained patriarchal norms and promote a more equitable distribution of social and economic opportunities. The challenge lies in translating this call for 'active engagement' into concrete policy actions and measurable outcomes that dismantle existing power imbalances and ensure genuine partnership rather than token participation.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.