Detailed summary of Abdul Khalique Shaikh's concluding remarks at the Side-Event on Empowerment of Women in Pakistan: The Role of Education and Microfinance in Advancing Justice and Equality (13 March 2026)

Mr. Abdul Khalique Shaikh opened by thanking the Permanent Mission of Pakistan and the Muslim American Leadership Alliance for organizing the side-event and acknowledged the contributions of the panelists and the audience. He highlighted five core takeaways from the discussion. First, education remains the most powerful foundation for women's empowerment; access to quality and inclusive education enables women and girls to develop confidence, knowledge, and the ability to claim their rights and participate meaningfully in society. Second, education must be closely linked with economic opportunity, with skills development, vocational training, and digital literacy essential to convert learning into sustainable livelihoods and participation in the modern economy. Third, microfinance and financial inclusion play a transformative role in expanding women's economic agency by providing access to credit, entrepreneurship opportunities, and financial services that enable women to establish businesses, generate income, and contribute to the prosperity of their families and communities. Fourth, Pakistan's experience demonstrates the importance of integrated policies that combine education, skills development, and financial inclusion; expanding girls' education, promoting technical and vocational training, and supporting women entrepreneurs through microfinance programs create new pathways for empowerment. Finally, empowerment requires partnerships among governments, civil society organizations, academic institutions, financial institutions, and international partners to expand opportunities and scale successful initiatives that benefit women and girls. He reminded us that empowering women is not only a matter of rights and justice but also a driver of sustainable development and social progress; when women have access to education and economic opportunity, families are strengthened, communities prosper, and societies move forward. The Ministry of Human Rights reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls in Pakistan, including their economic rights and the right to education, and called for continued collective action to ensure every woman and girl has the opportunity to learn, lead, and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future.