National Dialogue Brings Together Stakeholders To Promote Women, Girls Participation In Science

Speakers at the National Dialogue on Women in Science unanimously stressed the need to rapid increase in the opportunities and participation of women and girls in science if the country wanted to achieve Sustainable Development Goals

LAHORE (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / NNI - 13th February, 2019) Speakers at the National Dialogue on Women in Science unanimously stressed the need to rapid increase in the opportunities and participation of women and girls in science if the country wanted to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

UNESCO in partnership with UNWOMEN, Pakistan Alliance for Maths and Science and Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) organized this two-day National Dialogue on Women in Science concluded late Tuesday (February 12) here at LCWU Campus.The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring this day, to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.The overall objective of the dialogue was to exchange experiences on how to achieve Gender Equality in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and contribute to progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which says, Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.Officials and representatives of different departments of the government, UNESCO, UNWOMEN, Pakistan Alliance for Maths and Science, LCWU and representatives from academia, corporate and development sector, civil society organizations and students participated in the event.

At the inaugural session, Dr.

Shagufta Naz, Director Research, LCWU, Mr. Salman Naveed Khan, CEO, Pakistan Alliance for Maths and Science, Mr. Jamshed Kazi, Country Representative of UNWOMEN in Pakistan, Ms. Vibeke Jensen, Country Representative of UNESCO in Pakistan, and Ms.

Rabiya Javeri Agha, Federal Secretary for Human Rights, spoke on the importance of women and girls involvement and participation in all fields of science. Over 20 panelists and speakers from Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan including Senator Ms.

Aeysha Raza, MNA Ms. Shandana Gulzar and Ms. Zartaj Gul, Minister of State for Climate Change, shared their experiences with the audience while highlighting the challenges as well as government's initiatives for women and girls to excel in the field of science.The two-day event comprised of five panel discussions on different aspects of science.

The panel discussions were followed by an interactive question and answer sessions. On the recommendations of the event, a charter will also be determined to follow up on recommended initiatives to promote women and girls in science. NNI