UN Women and Strategic Reforms Unit (SRU) of the Punjab Government on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for future cooperation in promoting gender equality efforts.
The MoU was signed by the Country Representative for UN Women, Mr. Jamshed M. Kazi and Director General, SRU, Mr. Salman Sufi in the presence of officials representing both sides and media representatives.
Through this cooperation, joint initiatives of strategic importance related to women’s empowerment and gender equality, with a focus on ending violence against women, will be undertaken.
Director General, SRU, Mr. Salman Sufi said, “Government of the Punjab is at forefront on the war against violence, and Strategic Reforms Unit under the guidance of Chief Minister Punjab, is consistently striving to help redefine the lives of women with reforms like one stop shops for survivors of violence and gender sensitization of curriculum in Punjab.” He further added, “We are thankful to UN Women Pakistan for the continued support and excited to work together and capitalise on each other’s experience to send a message across world that women do not stand alone in face of entrenched hardship and challenges. We are here to amplify their voices against violence.”
To achieve their common objectives, both the parties will work together in establishing and strengthening social protection infrastructure and services for women and girls. This will be in line with global standards and best practices including Essential Services Package for Survivors of Gender based Violence. Given the success of Violence Against Women Center (VAWC) Multan a significant focus of this cooperation will include potential replication of Punjab’s VAWC across Pakistan and globally. In addition, both parties will extend technical support around respective legislative engagements, especially for the effective implementation and functioning of the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act.
Speaking on the occasion, Country Representative for UN Women, Mr. Jamshed M. Kazi, commended the cutting-edge innovative measures, commitment and leadership of the Punjab Government and especially the Strategic Reforms Unit towards ending violence against women and girls. He also remarked that the MoU would further strengthen mutual efforts for the elimination of all kinds of discrimination and violence against women and girls not only in Punjab, but across Pakistan and internationally, through UN Women’s offices and partner networks.
The agreement will also lead to collaborative efforts to enhance the mobility and safe public spaces for women and girls’ and capitalize on each other’s experiences in addressing violence against women.
