Women’s role in environmental protection, home gardening and digital skills emphasised
ISLAMABAD:
The Youth Development Association (YDA) marked International Women’s Day in Iqbal Town, Islamabad, under the global theme “Give Opportunities to Gain Gender Equality.”
The event brought together around 125 women from diverse backgrounds, including educationists, health professionals, lawyers, women religious leaders, law-enforcement representatives, students and domestic workers.
Saleema Munir, Director of Programmes at YDA, welcomed participants and explained that the seminar aimed to inspire, equip and empower women to work towards gender equality by expanding opportunities for quality education and employment.
In her keynote address, Munir noted that Pakistan ranks 148th in the Global Gender Gap Index Report 2025, describing the position as deeply concerning. Referring to the International Women’s Day theme “Give to Gain,” she stressed that when societies provide women with equal opportunities in education, skills development and employment, they gain economic stability, healthier families and stronger communities.
She observed that women’s limited participation in the workforce stems not from a lack of ability or ambition but from social expectations, policy gaps and unequal household responsibilities shared by both genders. Allowing women greater participation in the workforce, politics and decision-making, she added, would also ease the economic burden on men, who remain the sole breadwinners in many Pakistani households.
Silvia Shamoon of YDA spoke about women’s role in environmental protection and climate adaptation. She shared practical examples of home gardening, noting that small household gardens can supply nearly 30 per cent of a family’s daily vegetable needs.
Home-grown produce, she added, improves dietary diversity and health as it is organic. Linking her remarks to the theme “Give to Gain,” she said that when women care for the environment, they contribute to food security, better health and financial savings for their families. She urged participants to safeguard natural resources even in routine household activities.
Rashida Ashraf of Families for Pakistan highlighted the growing importance of digital skills for women. She explained that access to technology and digital training can enable women to launch online businesses and secure remote employment.
