Improving Gender Equality through Strategic Public Investments

Strategic Insights -

In a critical step towards bridging the gender equality gap, the Women's Parliamentary Caucus organized a high-level discussion on the importance of using public funds effectively to empower women and girls in Pakistan. The event, held under the leadership of Dr. Shahida Rehmani, brought together over 100 members of Parliament, sector experts, civil society representatives, and media personnel to review and develop recommendations for the Federal Budget 2025-26.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Women's Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) launched a Gender Budget Strategy in January 2023, aimed at promoting Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) to reduce disparities faced by women, girls, and transgender persons.
  • Members of the WPC are actively engaged in parliamentary discussions on increasing budgets that improve gender parity, with a focus on strategic public investments to empower women and girls.
  • The Government of Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to reducing gender disparity through continued and increased efforts to support women and girls in achieving equal opportunities.
  • A key recommendation from the event was for the WPC to present its suggestions and recommendations to the Finance Committee before the Finance Bill is passed for the first time.
  • A critical component of the event was a presentation by Rashida Dohad, Executive Director of the Omar Asghar Khan Foundation, analyzing the gender-responsiveness of the proposed federal budget 2025-26, with recommendations to enhance women's economic and social empowerment.
  • Provincial governments have primary responsibility for delivering basic services like education and health, as per the 18th Amendment.

Statistics:

  • Over 100 members of the National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan participated in the event.
  • The WPC has been working consistently on promoting GRB since launching its Gender Budget Strategy in January 2023.

Sources:

  • [Women's Parliamentary Caucus]
  • [The Omar Asghar Khan Foundation]
  • [Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Pakistan]
  • [18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan]