Two days workshop on Improving Gender Equality in Pakistan HED Leadership and Decision Making started here in Serena Peshawar

Two days workshop on Improving Gender Equality in Pakistan Higher Education Leadership and Decision Making started here in Serena Peshawar. Event is organized by British Council in collaboration with Quaid e Azam University Islamabad and University of Gloucestershire, UK. Participants of the workshops are Vice Chancellors of KP Universities, Deans, Directors and  Principals  where as Secretary Higher Education Department KP Dr Aneela Mahfooz Durrani was a Chief
Guest of the opening ceremony.

Prof Dr Hazir Ullah, Director School of  Sociology, QAU Islamabad welcome all the participants for the two days workshop and highlighted the importance of the gender equality. Prof Dr Adeela Ahmad Shafi from University of Gloucestershire, UK share global practices and step taken for improving gender equality. While presenting remarks as a chief guest of the Opening ceremony, Secretary Higher Education Department KP Dr Aneela Mahfooz Durrani, she appreciate the organizers of the  workshop for bringing together such a diverse group of individuals who share a common goal of improving gender equality in Pakistan's higher education leadership and decision-making. She said that Gender equality is a fundamental human right. It is an integral part of the Sustainable Development Goals, which Pakistan has pledged to achieve. However, despite these commitments, women in Pakistan still face numerous challenges in accessing education and
participating in leadership positions in higher education institutions. She added that we cannot afford to overlook the enormous potential of women to contribute to the growth and development of our country. She said that Higher education institutions must play a critical role in ensuring gender equality in leadership and decision-making. As leaders and decision-makers in higher education, we must ensure that women have equal access to education, training, and career advancement opportunities. We must promote gender-sensitive policies that recognize and address the unique challenges that women face in pursuing their academic and professional aspirations. We must also recognize the importance of male allies in the fight for gender equality. Men can be powerful agents of change in promoting gender equality in higher education leadership and decision-making. We need to create a safe space where men can engage in dialogue and work towards a common goal of building an inclusive and equitable society. She emphasize that gender equality is not a women's issue, it is a human issue. We must all work together to create a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can reach their full potential. She urges all participants to take action, to be vocal and visible
champions for gender equality, and to work towards a better future for all.

The workshop will continue for two days and its recommendations will be submitted to all the concerned stakeholders for implementation.