ISLAMABAD – A two-day National Consultation on Pakistan’s Gender Parity Framework, organized by the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), concluded on Tuesday in Islamabad with strong consensus among provinces, regions, development partners, academia, and civil society on the need for a unified, standardized mechanism for gender parity reporting in Pakistan.
Representatives from all provinces and regions presented their existing indicators and reports, providing a comprehensive overview of current efforts to measure gender equality. The event served as a platform for constructive dialogue and peer learning, allowing stakeholders to identify strengths and gaps in provincial data collection and reporting systems.
Experts from academia, civil society, and development organizations contributed insights that helped refine a National Gender Parity Reporting Framework – a tool designed to ensure comparability of data across provinces and over time.
Participants emphasized the importance of using the framework not only for accountability, but also as a strategic resource for guiding inclusive policymaking.
In his closing remarks, Federal Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, lauded the collaborative spirit of the consultation and affirmed the federal government’s full support for the framework.
“This consultation has not only gathered diverse voices, it has aligned them around a shared purpose,” he said. “What we now see is the foundation of a reporting mechanism that is leaner, more comparable, and capable of becoming Pakistan’s national benchmark for gender parity.”
Senator Tarar stressed that the framework should not be viewed as a catalogue of aspirations, but as a practical tool for generating credible, consistent data, addressing the long-standing issue of data gaps that have contributed to Pakistan’s unfavorable positioning in international gender indices.
“Through this framework, we will generate data that presents a more accurate picture of the progress Pakistan is making,” he said. “It fulfills our constitutional duty and strengthens our capacity to close the gaps women face in education, health, work, and leadership.”
The Minister pledged the Ministry of Human Rights’ full support in integrating the framework into laws, policies, and institutions.
“With unity of purpose, this framework can become a turning point,” Senator Tarar concluded. “It will help shape a future where equality is not just promised, but lived.”