ISLAMABAD: On International Women’s Day, Richard Montgomery, the head of the UK’s Department for International Development in Pakistan offered the UK’s efforts to redouble support for women and girls in Pakistan.

While delineating details about the UK’s efforts he said that gender equality means not only a fairer society, but a strong economy too, adding a country cannot fully develop while women and girls are locked out of progress and denied the chance to reach their full potential, says a press release issued on Saturday.

Research shows that countries, which create better opportunities for women and girls, can raise production, improve prospects for children, make institutions more representative and advance development prospects for all, it adds.

Its dismal record on gender equality is widely documented — the third most dangerous place in the world for women; two-thirds of women cannot read or write; women make openly a fifth of the workforce and Pakistan has the fourth highest deaths in the world per year from childbirth, the press release adds.

It was further disclosed that it was no surprise that Pakistan was one of the world’s most unequal

countries, ranked a disappointing 135th out of 136 countries for lack of economic, political, educational and health opportunities. China come 69th, Bangladesh 75th and India 101st.

The press release further depicts that Pakistan is missing out on the talent and productivity of half of its population, holding back growth and opportunity - can Pakistan afford to not invest more in equality for women and girls?

It says, “Why should Pakistan invest in Women?” “An educated woman earns more money. She has more control over her life, choosing when to marry and how many children to have. She invests nearly all the money she earns back into her family, educating and feeding her children, creating a virtuous circle, lifting her family out of inter-generational poverty. This is good not only

for the family, but for the community and wider economy,” it adds.

The press release says that change is happening in Pakistan. A raft of legislation has been passed in recent years, helped by more women sitting in national and provincial government, it adds.

What is the UK doing? The UK puts women and girls at the heart of its development work in Pakistan, it says. “We will help some two million of the most deprived girls in Pakistan to go to school.

We also fund medical practitioners who will prevent thousands of women dying in childbirth; fund job training for tens of thousands of the poorest women in Punjab; and work with the police force in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to create a more women-friendly police force which gives more women the confidence to come forward, report crimes, and demand justice, says Richard Montgomery.

He said that the UK will continue to invest in Pakistan’s national Income Support Programme (BISP), which is helping five million women from the very poorest families. And we will carry on our work with local groups across the country to give women a voice, get involved in local politics, and strengthen legislation to protect women.

“How can we work with Pakistan to create a sea change for women and girls?” he asks. “We want to hear ideas from people reading this — we need solutions from the people who know best, the people who have experienced and witnessed discrimination and abuse here in Pakistan,” he adds.

He said that by using all of its talent, Pakistan could boost its development, global competitiveness, and prosperity. “Gender means not only a fairer society but a stronger economy too.

So investing in women and girls is the smart thing to do, as well as the right thing,” he maintains.

He said, “But we know that ultimately it is only Pakistan who can come up with the solutions to make men and women more equal here. A collective effort is needed — government, civil society, business, education, from men and women alike. The UK is keen to help those working to make this country a fairer and safer place for women, and to help Pakistan harness the skills, talent, and productivity of all its population.”

