Outcome PAK_D_6.1

PCO SN Outcome 1.1: Mechanisms supported by UN Women are in place to assess and report on the progress of the Government of Pakistan’s international Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (GEWE) commitments (aligned to SP Output 1)

The outcome was achieved during the reporting period. Initatives headed by PCO - especially the setting up of data and evidence bases - have been impertative to assess and report on the progress of Pakistan's international GEWE commitments. During the reporting period, PCO continued to strengthen the National Gender Data Portal, including finalising the portal, data uploading and routine trouble shooting. The Planning and Development Departments in provinces and Bureau of Statistics were taken on board to streamline data supply. The P&D departments were also trained on NGDP, its indicators and data protocols after their agreement to provide provincial data to strengthen this repository. The support provided to CSWs and the NGDP is an imperative for PCO work towards upholding governance and oversight in the country. To strengthen reporting on Pakistan's international obligations on GEWE, PCO continued to work with diplomats of member states, as well as provide support to the Ministry of Human Rights, for recommending pragmatic measures development of reports. During the year, PCO contributed to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by providing recommendations, and assisted development of the CEDAW report through technical support provided to MoHR. Both these reports were submitted to UNCT during the reporting period and they have been further submitted to concerned UN entities.

PCO SN Outcome 1.1: Mechanisms supported by UN Women are in place to assess and report on the progress of the Government of Pakistan’s international Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (GEWE) commitments (aligned to SP Output 1)

This outcome was realized and progress made in 2021. During the year, UN Women supported Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) for reporting on Pakistan's international commitments including dissemination of Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) concluding observations. These reports include: i) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) ii) Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) iii) Universal Periodic Review (UPR)., and iv) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Pakistan Country Office (PCO) also provided technical assistance to the Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment, which is the mandated government entity responsible for compiling information on CEDAW from all relevant government departments at the provincial level. The Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) attended the meeting and provided explicit guidance on the types of information that needed to be documented and reported. In order to assess and report on Pakistan's international commitments for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE), PCO worked with key women machineries including oversight and implementation bodies of the Government of Pakistan. The Inter-Provincial Ministerial Group (IPMG) convened by PCO and National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) was used as a platform to cement and catalyze coordination to build consistent and focused momentum towards GEWE. This approach contributed towards building the capacity of key partners and for carrying out strategic planning for stronger and more sustainable impact. In this regard, PCO supported the Strategic Plan development of two key institutions responsible for advancing the gender equality agenda in Pakistan. The Chairperson NCSW was facilitated to undertake consultative discussions with provincial stakeholders to understand the situation on the ground in order to develop priorities for the NCSW Strategic Plan and identify interventions needed . The Federal Women Parliamentary Caucus also completed its Strategic Plan through a consultative process, with technical support from PCO. In addition the National Gender Data Portal (NGDP) provided the needed evidence base to approach GEWE in a pragmatic, efficient and informed manner. These measures advanced reporting and related mechanisms to assess the progress of Pakistan's international commitments on gender equality, which would ultimately help identify gaps and formulate effective strategies, as needed.