Munter launches women’s rights intiative

Ambassador Cameron Munter and his wife, Dr. Marilyn Wyatt, together with the Aurat Foundation on Sunday, launched the Pakistan Gender Coalition, a network of Pakistani civil society organisations, academic and research institutions, and media organisations working together to promote gender equity in Pakistan. Addressing participants of the event, Munter said, “Through this coalition, you will create a new force for positive change in Pakistan. While advocacy for women’s rights and equal opportunities is a challenging task, you have the strong support of the U.S. government and the American people.” The event was attended by beneficiaries and representatives of more than 70 civil society organisations working on gender issues with funding from the USAID Gender Equity Program. Participants included a number of government officials, such as Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto, Minister for Women Development Sindh; Ghazala Gola, Minister for Women Development Balochistan; Farzana Yaqub, Minister for Women Development AJK; and Zakia Shahnawaz Khan Niazi, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab.