BISHKEK : Ms Noureen Bano Lehri, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, Islamabad, represented Pakistan at the The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation – SCO Women’s Forum 2026, held in Bishkek, on 25-27 June 2026, organised by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic.Addressing the Forum, Ms Lehri expressed appreciation to the Kyrgyz Republic for convening this important platform for regional dialogue and reaffirmed that sustainable economic development cannot be achieved without the equal participation of women in creating, managing, and benefiting from economic growth.
Highlighting Pakistan’s perspective, she acknowledged the vital contributions of Pakistani women across agriculture, industry, services, technology, entrepreneurship, and the informal economy.
At the same time, she drew attention to the persistent challenges that continue to limit women’s full economic participation, including low female labour force participation, the gender pay gap, limited representation in leadership and decision-making roles, workplace harassment, and inadequate support mechanisms for working women.
The Chairperson emphasised the importance of creating safe and inclusive workplaces, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and expanding women’s access to quality education and skills development, financing, digital technologies, entrepreneurship, and career advancement opportunities.
Concluding her address, Ms Lehri highlighted the immense potential for cooperation among SCO member states to promote women’s entrepreneurship, foster digital innovation, and share best practices to strengthen women’s economic rights and expand opportunities across the region.
Beyond the formal sessions, the Cultural Day celebrations gave women leaders from participating countries a chance to celebrate their shared cultural diversity, strengthen regional networks, and build connections that can lead to future collaboration in women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange.
NCSW remains committed to advancing women’s economic empowerment and strengthening regional partnerships that promote gender equality, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
