PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Tuesday officially launched the ‘Gender Parity Report 2024’ of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

The report was launched at a ceremony in connection with International Women’s Day, which was organised by the Provincial Commission on the Status of Women.

The Gender Parity Report 2024 is a comprehensive data-driven document that highlights gender equality trends in the province, providing insights into access to services, socio-economic participation, and political representation of men and women. The report aims to serve as a guiding document for stakeholders working towards gender equality, said a handout.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister emphasised the importance of accurate data for policymaking and decision-making, and commended the officials for compiling the report, stating that no development initiative can succeed without reliable data.

He assured that the issues identified in the report would be addressed on a priority basis, and after endorsement by the provincial assembly, it would be shared with the federal government to encourage nationwide efforts for gender equality. The chief minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to women’s participation in economic and social programmes, particularly through the Ehsaas Youth Employment and Ehsaas Skills Development initiatives.

He said that women, who make up more than half of the country’s population, were key to national progress and that protecting the rights of women and marginalized groups is essential for prosperity. Highlighting efforts in girls’ education, he said that the provincial government had established 2,800 Girls’ Community Schools, providing education to thousands of girls.

Additionally, a voucher scheme had been launched to enroll out-of-school girls, while scholarships and stipends were being provided to reduce the dropout rate in government schools.

Gandapur said that to improve women’s safety and access to justice, the government has set up Women Police Desks in police stations and established Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Courts across the province, and special open forums were being organized under the Public Agenda Programme to address women’s issues on a priority basis.

The chief minister said the provincial government has launched the Sahara Card Programme, which provides a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 to widows aged 45 and above.

Gandapur said that 30percent of the users of the BRT service were women, which he described as an encouraging sign of progress. He stressed that the government is focusing on previously neglected sectors to ensure equal opportunities for all.