ECP CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY 2017

ELECTION COMMISSION OF PAKISTAN

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PRESS RELEASE

ECP CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2017.

            Islamabad, 7^th March, 2017.—International women’s day is celebrated around the globe on 8^th of March every year. In this connection, a seminar was held in the Election Commission Secretariat, Islamabad to celebrate International Women’s Day. The Chief Election Commissioner in his address reiterated the resolve to empower and bring women of Pakistan in the mainstream electoral processes and said that ECP stands firm to ensure equal participation of women in electoral activities, especially for registration and casting of votes. He informed the participants that ECP has written a letter to all the heads of political parties for taking initiatives to improve women participation in electoral process. He expressed his hope that such efforts by ECP, political parties and other stakeholders will open the doors for the women to play their role in the development of democracy in the country. He further hoped that the draft Election Act 2017 will play key role in enhancing women participation in the field of electioneering in Pakistan. Ambassador of Sweden Ms. Ingrid Johansson actively participated in the event.

2.         Mr. Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, Secretary, ECP also shared his views on the importance of the International Women’s Day as well as the efforts which the ECP will be making to bring women in the electoral arena. 

3.         John Groark, Head of USAID, Ms. Judith Herbertson, Deputy Head of Office, DFID Pakistan and Ann Kofoed, First Secretary, Head of Governance and Education Cooperation European Union also shared initiatives of their respective organizations for empowerment of women in Pakistan. Mr. Shabir Ahmed, Country Director IFES made a presentation on the women in electoral leadership. Ms. Samina Amin Qadir, VC FJ WU, Mr. Muddasar Rizvi from FAFEN, Khawar Mumtaz Chairperson NCSW and Mr. James Littleton from UNDP also shed light on different aspects of women empowerment in the context of Pakistan.

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