By: Asim Nawaz Abbasi/Editor
ISLAMABAD: Group of committed young leaders from Pakistan attended the Women Deliver Conference in Vancouver, Canada in the beginning of June 2019.
The Conference, held every three years and unites world leaders, experts, journalists and activists to discuss issues surrounding gender equality and women rights. The theme of this year’s Conference was “Power. Progress. Change.”
Young leaders, experts and representatives of media from Pakistan along with youth leaders from around the globe were present at this prestigious global conference who actively participated in different activities of during the conference; including Muhammad Shahzad Khan, Fsahat Ul Hassan, Joshua Dilawar, Umair Mushtaq, Laraib Abid, Namra Nasyr, Umair Asif, Alyas Rahmat, Tanzila Khan, Ali Rizvi, Rao Khalid, Krishna Maheshwari, Naureen Lalani, Saro Imran, Mahira Ahmed Miyanji, Sumaira Waseem, Mashal and Shumaila.
The forum brought more than 8,000 participants from 165 different nationalities to Vancouver to advance gender equality and the health and rights of girls and women. In addition, Women Deliver 2019 was a part of a global dialogue with more than 100,000 people engaging via satellite events and WDLive.
Young leaders from Pakistan were seen projecting Pakistani culture and also led various sessions pertaining to gender equality and Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) .
Joshua Dilawar – A young leader from Pakistan participated as a guest speaker in a session organized by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, “Achieving Gender equality by 2030; putting adolescents at the center”. Joshua also co-organized and spoke at the closing session of youth zone entitled, “Send –off” and co-organized the flash mob as well. He also met and shared the young voices with Maryam Monsef (Minister for Women and Gender Equality & Minister of International Development – Government of Canada)
Umair participated as a guest speaker in a session of Women Deliver Youth Zone with other speakers from Right to Play Canada and World Vision Canada and the topic was “How the power of play drives progress for girls and women”.
Namra participated as a guest speaker in a session titled “Changing Dynamics for Women in Workforce”, organized by Johnson and Johnson International. She spoke on a special dialogue about ‘The Importance of mentorship’.
Laraib and Joshua presented their digital abstracts at Women Deliver 2019 as well. This conference was an amazing platform for young people across the world to make their voices heard and to share their ideas and work they have done to advance gender equality
Delegates from Pakistan including young leaders were also invited for a lunch hosted by Dr. Muhammad Tariq Khan Consul General for Pakistan in Vancouver, Canada.
These young leaders and other delegation of Pakistan had a productive meeting with member of the Senate of Pakistan Ayesha Raza Farooq as well. She appreciated their work in Pakistan and engagements at Women Deliver.
Young leader Fsahat Ul Hassan while talking to ‘The Dayspring’ said that Women are the key to unlocking peace, stability and well being of the society. It is necessary to work for women empowerment and gender equality he added.
Endorsing the lines by first lady of Canada Sophie Gregoire Trudeau that “The end of this conference is only the beginning of the journey to make this world a better place for girls and women,” Young leaders showed commitment to work with more enthusiasm.