Country Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Luay Shabaneh, visited the office of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW), where he met Chairperson Dr. Sumera Shams and discussed matters of mutual interest, with a focus on women’s rights and gender equality.
During the visit, an important consultative meeting was held to deliberate on challenges in the implementation of laws related to women’s rights, gender equality, and reproductive health and rights, as well as to outline a future joint course of action.
Participants emphasized the revitalization of the Women Commission after a hiatus of more than four years, strengthening institutional mechanisms, and ensuring effective oversight of legislation concerning women’s rights—particularly laws addressing gender-based violence and reproductive health rights. Special attention was also given to addressing issues faced by women in rural and marginalized areas on a priority basis.
Chairperson Dr. Sumera Shams highlighted the need to improve facilities at Dar-ul-Aman shelter homes to ensure safe accommodation and enhanced support services for women, enabling them to live with dignity and security.
The meeting also featured detailed discussions on the bill against child marriage, with a view to making measures more effective for the protection of women’s and children’s rights and the promotion of a dignified life.
Dr. Sumera Shams said that Women’s empowerment remains a priority of the provincial government. Over the past decade, sustained measures have been undertaken to empower women socially and economically through education, health, economic opportunities, and legal protection. Efforts by the Women Commission and allied institutions continue to promote women’s rights and gender equality across the province.
The meeting concluded with consensus on evidence-based policymaking, strengthening gender-related data and reporting systems, and enhancing implementation and accountability mechanisms at the district level. Dr. Luay Shabaneh reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to continued institutional collaboration with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to advance women’s rights and gender equality in the province.