At the United Nations, Pakistan has asked the world to act fast so that every woman and girl can live without poverty. During a session marking the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Ishaq Dar, spoke strongly about the need for equality, safety, and economic freedom for women and girls.
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What Pakistan Said

Ishaq Dar recalled the Beijing Declaration, an agreement made 30 years ago that promised to improve women’s rights and end discrimination. He said that now is the time to turn those promises into real action.
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He pointed to the progress Pakistan has made: women now have senior roles in politics, the judiciary, law enforcement, civil service, and even in the armed forces. For example, Pakistan had its first female prime minister, and more recently elected its first woman Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz.
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The country has also created special courts and police stations for violence against women, commissions to watch over women’s status, and laws that protect against discrimination and abuse.
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Social programs like the Benazir Income Support Programme and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme were mentioned. These help women access finances, start businesses, and get out of poverty.
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What Pakistan Is Asking the World To Do

Pakistan wants scaled-up financing—this means more money from both national budgets and international aid—to help women and girls. Without enough funds, many good plans cannot work.
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It asked for global cooperation and partnerships, so that countries work together. Often, problems like poverty, violence, lack of education cross borders and require united efforts.
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Pakistan wants bold and measurable actions—not just promises. It said that commitments must bring real change in women’s lives.
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Why This Matters

Poverty affects women and girls more strongly. In many places, girls drop out of school, cannot find good work, or face violence and discrimination. All these stop them from becoming independent.

When women have equal opportunities to work, get educated, and take part in decisions, society as a whole gains: economies grow, families are healthier, and communities are more stable.

If violence and discrimination continue unchecked, any gains can be reversed. Laws and institutions are important, but so is public awareness and support.

What Still Needs Work

Even though Pakistan has made progress, Dar admitted that global progress is uneven. Some regions, or groups of women (rural women, girls with disabilities, minority women), are still left behind.
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Laws may exist, but enforcement is often weak. For example, courts and legal systems may be slow. Services like special police stations or courts may be hard to reach for many women.

Poverty is not just about low income—it includes lack of education, lack of access to healthcare or clean water, and sometimes cultural barriers that prevent women from fully participating in society.

A Message of Hope and a Call to Action

At the UN, Pakistan’s message was clear: the world cannot wait. Governments, aid agencies, civil society groups, and individuals need to step up now. It is not enough to recognize women’s rights on paper—they must be lived in daily life. Women and girls everywhere deserve to live with dignity, safety, and opportunity.

Ishaq Dar closed by saying that honoring the Beijing Declaration means acting now, with urgency and solidarity. He asked for a future where every woman and girl, no matter where she lives, is free from poverty, free from violence, and able to reach her full potential.