UNFPA Pakistan, with funding from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Pakistan, has supported the National Commission on the Status of Women in Islamabad in a nationwide effort to build consensus on a gender parity framework to be applied across provinces and at the national level. The initiative aims to harmonize approaches to gender equality policy and strengthen coordination among government and civil society actors.
The project was led by the National Commission on the Status of Women, with technical and financial support from UNFPA Pakistan and the Embassy of the Netherlands. Partnering agencies worked together to bring provincial and national stakeholders into a common process to define shared goals, indicators and mechanisms for tracking progress on gender parity.
The consensus-building process focused on aligning provincial priorities with national policy objectives to create a coherent framework that can be implemented across different jurisdictions. Emphasis was placed on developing practical tools and agreements that enable consistent monitoring and reporting, as well as on identifying capacity gaps that need to be addressed for effective implementation.
Support from UNFPA and the Dutch Embassy included facilitation of consultative meetings, provision of technical expertise and resources to aid negotiations, and assistance in drafting framework elements acceptable to diverse stakeholders. These contributions aimed to ensure that the resulting framework reflects local realities while meeting international standards for gender equality.
Expected outcomes include a unified gender parity framework endorsed by provinces and the federal level, improved coordination among institutions responsible for women’s rights and gender equality, and strengthened capacity to measure and report on progress. The initiative is intended to create a more consistent policy environment that supports tangible improvements in the status of women and girls across Pakistan.
