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The Sustainable Development Goals in Pakistan
Pakistan affirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its own national development agenda through a unanimous National Assembly Resolution in 2016. Since then, the country has made considerable progress by mainstreaming these goals in national policies and strategies and developing an institutional framework for SDGs implementation in Pakistan. SDG support units have been established at federal and provincial levels with the planning institutions (Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives and Provincial Planning and Development Departments) to guide SDGs implementation and monitoring it progress. In 2018, the Government designed and approved a National SDGs Framework that envisages a national vision to prioritize and localize SDGs. Localized provincial SDG Frameworks are being formulated. The focus of the government is on mainstreaming SDGs in planning processes, ensuring strong monitoring and reporting on SDGs, ensuring public financial allocations are aligned to SDGs and alternate financing modalities are being explored, and to benefit from use of technology to accelerate progress towards SDGs.
Story
08 November 2021
Pakistan celebrates the 76th UN Day with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN Agencies in a colorful ceremony
The 76th anniversary of the United Nations was recently celebrated in a colorful event organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Islamabad. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Sohail Mahmood, was the Chief Guest while a video message of the UN Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres, was featured at the event. The Resident Coordinator, Mr. Julien Harneis, also addressed the audience comprising of heads of diplomatic missions and UN agencies based in Islamabad, as well as senior government officials and members of the UN staff.
Speaking on the occasion, the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, with the UN playing a central role for promoting peace, security, development and human rights for all. The Foreign Secretary highlighted Pakistan’s contributions to the work of the UN including in the areas of peacekeeping, refugee protection, humanitarian action, climate change, and international cooperation for sustainable development. He also thanked all the UN agencies working in Pakistan for advancing its socio-economic development.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Julien Harneis, appreciated the constant support and assistance of the Government of Pakistan and highlighted the many accomplishments of the UN agencies working in Pakistan in a diversity of sectors. He also talked about the new 5-year plan, the UN Sustainable Development Framework 2023-2027 and how every effort was being made to ensure that it had realistic action plans that align with the needs of the people of Pakistan, the directions of the government and the support of the member states and development partners.
A youth representative also shared her views on the expectations from the United Nations for meeting contemporary challenges.
Many UN agencies set up displays around the venue to showcase their products and interventions in the areas of health, food security, environmental protection, capacity-building and socio-economic development. These exhibits invited a great deal of interest from the guests and served as an opportunity to showcase the many interventions and accomplishments of the UN in Pakistan.
Photo Credit: UNDP
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Story
18 June 2020
Pakistan: Further desert locust damage forecast in coming agricultural seasons
The Government of Pakistan’s preliminary estimate of monetary losses due to desert locusts over the two coming agricultural seasons in 2020 and 2021 may range from US$3.4 billion to $10.21 billion.
Locust damage has significantly affected many farmers already, with further significant locust damage forecast at the end of summer.
In late January, the Government of Pakistan declared the desert locust a national emergency and set up the National Action Plan for Desert Locust Control and Surveillance and a high-level National Locust Control Centre.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is providing technical advice and procurement support to the Government for locust surveillance and control activities, including locust threat forecasts and control operation strategies.
FAO and the World Food Programme and partners, in coordination with the Government, will access needs in the worst-impacted districts, which have also experienced multiple shocks over the past 18 months, including drought, flash flooding, a cold wave and COVID-19.
The Government of Pakistan needs $372 million over the coming three years in additional funding to survey, control and recover from the locust damage.
FAO launched the Desert Locust Upsurge Global Response Plan 2020, which includes $12.5 million for Pakistan for crisis response, of which only $1.9 million has been funded.
More than 3 million people in Pakistan are facing severe acute food insecurity, with the situation particularly precarious in Balochistan.
It is estimated that approximately 34,000 households will need of emergency livelihood and food-security assistance due to crop losses. Many more people may be indirectly affected by crop losses leading to price rises in key commodities.
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Story
16 June 2020
A Coordinated Response to Coronavirus
On Wednesday, 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the coronavirus (COVID-19) viral disease a pandemic, but it is a pandemic that can be controlled. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who heads the UN agency, said, in his statement, “Let me be clear: describing this as a pandemic does not mean that countries should give up.”
The UN Secretary-General urged all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances – with containment as the central pillar. COVID-19 is affecting thousands of people, impacting countries’ health systems and having widespread social and economic effects. The UN entities working on development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, are supporting countries in their preparedness and response plans.
This page convenes sources of information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) regarding the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to track the spread and to provide guidance to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.
To stay up to date with the latest information, please visit:
United Nations Covid-19 Response: https://www.un.org/coronavirus
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Latest news on the United Nations’ response: https://news.un.org/en/events/un-news-coverage-coronavirus-outbreak
WHO guidance for countries: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd
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Story
30 May 2021
Pakistan ramps up Protected Areas
From the Himalayas in the north to the deserts of Balochistan in the west, to the mangroves of Sindh in the south, Pakistan’snatural diversity is spellbinding, but it is also under threat.
In 2018, only 12 per cent of the country was classed as an environmentally protected area. According to Bloomberg, it was one of the six countries in the world most at risk from climate change. The country had one of the lowest forest covers in the region, with only 5 per cent cover. This was compared to a global average of 31 per cent. This put the country at increased risk from environmental dangers such as flooding, melting glaciers and droughts.
However, change is underway. In 2020, Pakistan’s government launched the ‘Protected Area Initiative’ which aims to increase protected areas such as national parks, wetlands and wildlife reserves to 15 per cent of the country’s total area by 2023. In the last two years, protected area coverage has already increased to 13.9 per cent and further progress looks assured.
Pakistan is following a global trend, according to the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) flagship report Protected Planet. Since 2010, 21 million km2of protected and conserved areas, or 42 per cent of the global total, has been added.
“Protected areas offer a range of environmental benefits – they safeguard biodiversity by protecting plant and animal habitats; protect against climate change by building resilience to natural disasters and providing carbon storage, and can help maintain food and water security,” said Susan Gardner, Director of UNEP’s Ecosystems division. “Their positive impact also extends to economies as protected areas can drive eco-tourism and create green jobs in developing countries.”
Sustainable Protected Areas
While the growth of protected areas is a welcome development, as the Pakistan government is aware, in order for them to be effective, the areas must be managed and controlled. While globally the target of 17 per cent of land protection has been met (Pakistan is behind the global average), less than 8 per cent, against a target of 10 per cent, of coastal and marine areas have been conserved.
Pakistan’s national parks date back to 1972 with the creation of Lal Suhanra, one of South Asia’s largest. Lal Suhanara is now one of Pakistan’s 31 parks which include desert, mountains, wetlands and coastal ecosystems. They are home to a wide array of species including the elusive and endangered snow leopard. However, many had fallen into disrepair and were parks and protected areas only in name. Part of the Protected Area Initiative is to ensure that these valuable environmental areas are operating and functional.
“It is key for Pakistan to not only increase the protected areas but to ensure that all areas that are protected are more than just paper parks. By this we mean they are fully functioning with community buy-in and staff to operate and protect them,” said Dr. Raja Omer, the Deputy Inspector General (Forests) in Pakistan.
In order to do this Pakistan is adding 7000 jobs to manage and work in the parks, a key boost after job losses due to COVID-19. UNEP’s Protected Planet Report 2020 finds that in order to be fully effective, jobs in protected areas must draw from and benefit the local communities and fully embrace women at all levels of planning and implementation.
“These jobs will ensure community buy-in and agency for the protected areas,” said Dr. Omer.
As Pakistan prepares to hold World Environment Day on June 5, in partnership with UNEP, the country continues to make positive progress. Last year Prime Minister Khan announced the creation of nine new National Parks and the rehabilitation of a further six. Pakistan aims to have at least seven of its national parks registered under the IUCN 'Green List of Protected Areas,' the gold standard for conservation.
“We have made good progress and we are confident we will meet our targets,” said Dr. Omer.
Story via UNEP
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Story
19 May 2021
Pakistan restores mangroves for economy and ecosystem benefits
Tahir Qureshi had many nicknames. Father of the Mangroves. Mangrove Man. The mangrove hero of Pakistan. All reflect a life dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Pakistan’s mangroves.
As Pakistan prepares to host World Environment Day on June 5, ecosystem restoration, which includes critical ecosystems like mangrove forests, will be the focus. Mr Quershi, who sadly passed away in December 2020, played a key role in the development of mangrove restoration in Pakistan and will be fondly remembered at the event.
“He was a magnificent man. He understood the importance of mangroves in environmental conservation, he dedicated his life to them” said Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, the country representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) partner, “He literally planted millions of mangroves.”
Mangroves are also a central part of the Pakistan government’s ambitious ‘Ten Billion Tree Tsunami’ drive. Led by Prime Minister Imran Khan and supported by UNEP, Pakistan has committed to planting 10 billion trees by 2023. Millions, if not billions, of these trees will be mangroves. By the end of June, this year one billion trees will have already been planted.
Ecosystem and economic benefits
Mangroves are one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems on the planet, without which, 39 per cent more people would be flooded annually. The IUCN estimates that mangroves provide exceptional carbon storage - three to five times that of tropical forests – and support livelihoods for over 120 million people globally. They are also home to more than 3,000 fish species are found in their ecosystem.
“Mangroves are an important tool in the fight against climate change. They reduce carbon in the atmosphere and they also make financial sense. Restoring mangroves is five times more cost effective than building ‘grey infrastructure’ such as flood walls, which also don’t help with climate change,” said Makkio Yashiro, regional ecosystems coordinator for UNEP.
But mangroves are under threat. Climate change, logging, agriculture, aquaculture, pollution and coastal development are all eroding their habitats. UNEP and partners found that over 67% of mangroves have been lost or degraded to date.
Restoring a critical ecosystem
Restoring mangroves helps support not only nature but also, economies. A hectare of mangroves is estimated to be worth between $33,000 and $57,000 per year. UNEP studies find that every dollar invested in mangrove restoration there is a benefit of four dollars. Simply put they are one of the most efficient, cost effective Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
In Pakistan, as well as the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami, organisations such as the IUCN have instigated a number of mangrove restoration projects. The IUCN has worked on projects including one with the Pakistani Navy to plant seven million mangrove plants and also public-private enterprises with Engro Elengy Terminal Private Limited (EETPL) in the Port Qasim area of Karachi.
As we enter the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which will run from 2021 to 2030 and aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide, mangroves have a key role to play in its success.
Story via UNEP
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Story
10 December 2020
UNHCR’s skills project empowered refugee woman to earn at home amid coronavirus outbreak
QUETTA, 08 April 2020 – Saleema Habibullah, an Afghan refugee, has faced enormous struggles in her lifetime. Despite the tragic losses that she experienced, she leads a life free from fear and full of hope for the future, even in the most difficult of times.
“I was only twenty when all the men in my family where killed in a bombing incident in Quetta,” Saleema lamented. She described how her paternal uncle was so heart-broken that he died from a heart attack.
At the time, she fought for her family – a paralyzed aunt and cousin, whom were her only remaining relatives – by taking a bold step to leave her home and seek opportunities. Thanks to UNHCR’s Safe from the Start (SFS) programme, she learned new skills, such as embroidery, tailoring and kilim-making, and applies them daily.
The new skills enabled Saleema to become a master trainer at UNHCR’s programme being run by its partner. She has also established a centre at her house to provide skills to girls and run a small business. Saleema earns from the job and home-based business.
“Even at this challenging time, when the coronavirus outbreak has affected the country, I’m able to earn a decent living while staying at home,” she said.
Generously funded by the United States of America in 2019, the SFS is a livelihoods, hygiene and sexual violence awareness-raising project. Its aim is the economic empowerment of vulnerable women in the Afghan refugee community in Quetta.
Since the start of the programme in 2016, SFS trained 740 beneficiaries in marketable skills such as kilim and carpet weaving, tailoring, hand embroidery, machine embroidery as well as computer and English language courses (for literate beneficiaries).
All trainees participate in numeracy, literacy and health classes as well. A nursery is also available for young children accompanying their mothers during the day. Most of the beneficiaries are not only skilled artisans but aspiring female agents of change.
Originally from Kunduz in northern Afghanistan, Saleema could not continue her studies beyond primary school due to poverty. However, her life took a turn for the better when she got the opportunity to become a trainer with SFS. Today, she’s the sole bread winner in her family, paying off all of the heavy debt that they accumulated over time.
At first, her community didn’t respond well to her decision to pursue skills training. In fact, they didn’t even approve of a girl leaving the home, but Saleema stood firm against the frowning faces and unfriendly gestures. She kept working hard, learning new skills.
“Someday, I look forward to becoming a successful businesswoman,” mused Saleema. She says that women should be brave, lead prosperous lives and pursue their dreams.
By Humera Karim, UNHCR, Quetta, Pakistan
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Story
09 December 2020
Social inclusion of vulnerable transgenders in times of COVID-19
Continuing with its commitment to ‘Leave No One Behind’, UNDP in Pakistan, with UNFPA’s support, conducted a rapid preliminary socio-economic assessment to gauge the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transgender persons living in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
This initiative is the first outcome of the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) and UNDP Human Rights Taskforce on COVID-19 for collaboration on efforts through a human rights lens.
The assessment was conducted with representative sampling of 75 transgender persons (50 individuals in Rawalpindi and 25 in Islamabad), through transgender focal points of Islamabad and Rawalpindi— who are also members of the National Implementation Committee of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018. The Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) was on board to ensure ownership from the government.
All geographical areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were a part of the assessment while the assessment itself was disaggregated along multiple categories including, but not limited to, key-informants’: age, disability if any, health status, pre-COVID19 employment/income generation capacity, residence, and any experience of Gender Based Violence (GBV)).
The sample-size was loosely based on Census 2017-18 findings[1] and in consultation with the trans-community, measuring at 50 key informants from Rawalpindi and 25 key informants from Islamabad-ICT. The findings of the assessmnet reveal serious socio-economic impact of the already marginalised communities of trangender persons; with limited mobility due to COVID-19, their earnings have declined considerably and they are facing issues of shelter, food and access to mandatory hygiene products such as masks, gloves and sanitizers.
National Consultation in 2018 on Political inclusion and Electoral participation of transgender community in Pakistan. © UNDP Pakistan/Shuja Hakim
The first assessment had the following findings and recommendations:
´ Trans-persons in the twin-cities have been gravely, disproportionately affected by socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
´ Measures to address the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic should consider the particular vulnerabilities of the trans-people, including older persons, those living with disabilities, compromised immune systems and the homeless, and ensure that trans-people are fully covered by relief to recovery packages and not rendered invisible or unheard at any stage.
´ All development partners, including decision-makers, must speak out against stigmatization and discrimination directed at the trans-people in the context of the pandemic.
´ Shelters, support services, and other measures to address gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic and must take urgent steps to include the trans-population.
´ Measures restricting movement should provide protection for transgender and gender non-conforming persons. Law enforcement officials should be instructed and trained not to discriminate against this segment of the population.
The immediate needs identified through the assessment are:
The initial findings pointed out the challenges faced by the transgender community which includes:
´ Stigma and discrimination makes transgender people reluctant to disclose their health and socioeconomic status, and get help.
´ Transgender persons continue to experience discrimination from service providers and staff across the social protection and health care settings and social security safety nets – this leaves them poorer and more vulnerable in the face of COVID-19 pandemic.
´ Existing socio-economic marginalization and health conditions mean more of trans-persons live in a state of invisible multi-dimensional vulnerability and compromised health.
´ Transgender and non-binary persons living with hostile families under the current lockdown have to deal with stress and trauma, especially those who have recently come out as trans-persons, those who have recently undergone sex reassignment surgery or are taking hormones.
´ Most trans-persons are either living in temporary residences with other transgender persons in cramped-unsafe conditions or alone in locations other than their places of origin.
´ Most trans-community members are semi or poorly educated, therefore there are obvious and serious gaps in understanding written information and precautionary guidelines with regards to COVID-19. A community-based awareness mechanism should be introduced to educate them on COVID-19 prevention and response. This should be clubbed with the basic training on preparing cost-effective masks, disposing of masks and gloves, maintaining physical distance and keeping themselves safe in their personal spaces.
´ A group from this community has reported their unmet long-term medication needs which have been disrupted due to closure of OPDs in government hospitals. This requires urgent re-prioritisation of health services for those in need of chronic medical care.
The majority of trans-people have reported either none or limited funds available at their disposal to purchase basic necessities of life. Considering the uncertainty about ending the Corona Virus pandemic there is a dire need to look for alternative livelihood options for trans-people to enable them to earn their living.
MoHR with the support of UNDP in Pakistan and UNFPA Pakistan distributed Eid Relief Packages for COVID-19 affected transgender persons. © UNDP Pakistan/Shuja Hakim
In light of the assessment findings, UNDP with the support of UNFPA and in collaboration with Ministry of Human Rights will distribute assistance packages to the most vulnerable transgender persons living in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
UNDP and MoHR have been collaborating for the past two years for effective implementation of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018. This is possible by social inclusion of transgender persons through capacity building, institutional and policy support. UNDP Pakistan is also supporting the establishment of the first ever protection centre for vulnerable transgender persons living in the twin cities with the support of UNFPA. Discussions are currently underway on the structure and setup of the centre with MoHR and UNFPA.
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07 December 2020
Empowering female police trainees and officers of Sindh and Motorway Police
Madiha Anjum is working as a staff officer in the morning at National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) and taking classes at the university in the evening. Growing up she never imagined that she would be able to join a profession like the Police while living in a social setup that didn’t give her the option to choose a career path on her own. “My brothers used to say that you are only allowed to be a teacher or do the kind of job that can be done from home. I always knew I was not meant for teaching,” she says.
Swimming against the tide, many female officers like Anjum are fighting battles, social and physical, to assimilate into a workforce that is as demanding as it is rewarding. Yet women are joining NH&MP at an increasing rate.
“The presence of female staff in Motorways Police is very important, especially as the number of female drivers has increased.” says Mehboob Aslam, DIG NH&MP, and Commandant of Training College NH&MP Sheikhupura.
As part of the force, female officers of the Motorways Police need proper training. Anjum who is originally from Faisalabad resides at the hostel premises of the college at Sheikhupura along with 50 other young trainees who come from all over Pakistan. They stay in hostels for months – hostels that are often housed in old buildings with leaking ceilings, badly maintained bathrooms with sewage problems, poor ventilation, cramped rooms without emergency exits which pose health and safety hazards. These young women have chosen this difficult profession, but the process becomes more difficult when they do not even get to have basic facilities in their hostels.
“I didn’t know anyone when I came to this place, but I am used to living here now. I strongly believe a comfortable living environment would have helped us adjust better,” says Kiran Sawera from Sukkur.
Anam Tahir, a Patrol Officer from Islamabad who is staying in the hostel, says that they have limited space in extremely tiny rooms and sometimes the hostel has to accommodate up to 100 trainees in a place not even meant for 50 people. The hostel is devoid of even the basic facilities. They do not have any space to study, receive guests or prepare hygienic and healthy food for themselves.
According to DIG Aslam, the training college was established in 1992 and the female hostel has not been touched since that time which means the building is in a dilapidated condition. He indicated that the hostel building is dangerous and in the event of an earthquake or a natural disaster it could even be destroyed. “We are in dire need of a better hostel facility for the women,” he says. Women’s participation in public sector jobs in Pakistan has been hindered due to several factors, including the lack of a women-friendly work environment, unequal access to professional opportunities, gender disparity in educational and professional development and socio-cultural issues. While the Government of Pakistan has set a 10% quota for women in the police force, the current percentage of women in the police force remains below 2%, despite the government’s efforts to increase female representation. In addition, most of these women are at constable level, with very few in superintendent positions.
Things are poised to get better for these female officers. Maria Batool, who has been a Patrol Officer at NH&MP for the last three years, says that she admires the struggles of women who became part of the forces decades ago despite the huge stigma associated with joining the police department. Those women paved the way for the younger generation like her and created a space for them to join this profession. She recalls how the presence of women used to bother male colleagues in Motorways Police. “Now, they don’t stop their conversations when we go near them because they know that we are part of their department and we will remain with them whether they want us to or not,” she says. “Females are now a major part of society and they cannot be kept at home forcefully. People have to accept us and they are because they are acknowledging our presence and admiring our work,” she adds. Keeping in view the problems faced by working women in the police department, UNOPS will construct hostels for female police trainees as part of the Infrastructure for Gender Equality in Police project. The aim of the project was to enhance gender equality in the police by expanding accommodation facilities and creating an enabling environment for female police personnel.
The project is being implemented by UNOPS in partnership with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State (INL), Sindh Police and National Highways and Motorway Police. Four housing facilities will be built under this project: a hostel at the NH&MP Training College in Sheikhupura for 100 female recruits, two hostels at the Police Training College Saeedabad in Karachi for 220 female recruits, and a hostel at the Police Training College Shahdadpur in District Sanghar for 120 female recruits.
The direct beneficiaries of this project will include new female recruits, female trainers, and in-service policewomen who come to these colleges to attend mandatory promotional courses. UNOPS Pakistan Project Manager, Nauman Amin, says he is proud to lead the project. “This project will not only provide a dignified and comfortable living space to women police officers and trainees, but also encourage women to join the department,” he says. The design and construction of these multi-story buildings will be completed by UNOPS to provide sustainable and resilient infrastructure which caters to the needs of the female officers. Once the project is completed, an expected outcome would be gender responsive rule of law through an increased presence of women in law enforcement agencies. UNOPS believes in gender mainstreaming and through this strategy, addresses the need for making the experiences of women as well as men, an integral dimension of the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and projects. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality.
There are high hopes attached to this project as it will encourage more women to join law enforcement agencies. “We have come a long way. We wear uniforms and walk without any fear. Our parents do not feel ashamed and we are proud of it,” says Batool.
Swimming against the tide, many female officers like Anjum are fighting battles, social and physical, to assimilate into a workforce that is as demanding as it is rewarding. Yet women are joining NH&MP at an increasing rate.
“The presence of female staff in Motorways Police is very important, especially as the number of female drivers has increased.” says Mehboob Aslam, DIG NH&MP, and Commandant of Training College NH&MP Sheikhupura.
As part of the force, female officers of the Motorways Police need proper training. Anjum who is originally from Faisalabad resides at the hostel premises of the college at Sheikhupura along with 50 other young trainees who come from all over Pakistan. They stay in hostels for months – hostels that are often housed in old buildings with leaking ceilings, badly maintained bathrooms with sewage problems, poor ventilation, cramped rooms without emergency exits which pose health and safety hazards. These young women have chosen this difficult profession, but the process becomes more difficult when they do not even get to have basic facilities in their hostels.
“I didn’t know anyone when I came to this place, but I am used to living here now. I strongly believe a comfortable living environment would have helped us adjust better,” says Kiran Sawera from Sukkur.
Anam Tahir, a Patrol Officer from Islamabad who is staying in the hostel, says that they have limited space in extremely tiny rooms and sometimes the hostel has to accommodate up to 100 trainees in a place not even meant for 50 people. The hostel is devoid of even the basic facilities. They do not have any space to study, receive guests or prepare hygienic and healthy food for themselves.
According to DIG Aslam, the training college was established in 1992 and the female hostel has not been touched since that time which means the building is in a dilapidated condition. He indicated that the hostel building is dangerous and in the event of an earthquake or a natural disaster it could even be destroyed. “We are in dire need of a better hostel facility for the women,” he says. Women’s participation in public sector jobs in Pakistan has been hindered due to several factors, including the lack of a women-friendly work environment, unequal access to professional opportunities, gender disparity in educational and professional development and socio-cultural issues. While the Government of Pakistan has set a 10% quota for women in the police force, the current percentage of women in the police force remains below 2%, despite the government’s efforts to increase female representation. In addition, most of these women are at constable level, with very few in superintendent positions.
Things are poised to get better for these female officers. Maria Batool, who has been a Patrol Officer at NH&MP for the last three years, says that she admires the struggles of women who became part of the forces decades ago despite the huge stigma associated with joining the police department. Those women paved the way for the younger generation like her and created a space for them to join this profession. She recalls how the presence of women used to bother male colleagues in Motorways Police. “Now, they don’t stop their conversations when we go near them because they know that we are part of their department and we will remain with them whether they want us to or not,” she says. “Females are now a major part of society and they cannot be kept at home forcefully. People have to accept us and they are because they are acknowledging our presence and admiring our work,” she adds. Keeping in view the problems faced by working women in the police department, UNOPS will construct hostels for female police trainees as part of the Infrastructure for Gender Equality in Police project. The aim of the project was to enhance gender equality in the police by expanding accommodation facilities and creating an enabling environment for female police personnel.
The project is being implemented by UNOPS in partnership with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State (INL), Sindh Police and National Highways and Motorway Police. Four housing facilities will be built under this project: a hostel at the NH&MP Training College in Sheikhupura for 100 female recruits, two hostels at the Police Training College Saeedabad in Karachi for 220 female recruits, and a hostel at the Police Training College Shahdadpur in District Sanghar for 120 female recruits.
The direct beneficiaries of this project will include new female recruits, female trainers, and in-service policewomen who come to these colleges to attend mandatory promotional courses. UNOPS Pakistan Project Manager, Nauman Amin, says he is proud to lead the project. “This project will not only provide a dignified and comfortable living space to women police officers and trainees, but also encourage women to join the department,” he says. The design and construction of these multi-story buildings will be completed by UNOPS to provide sustainable and resilient infrastructure which caters to the needs of the female officers. Once the project is completed, an expected outcome would be gender responsive rule of law through an increased presence of women in law enforcement agencies. UNOPS believes in gender mainstreaming and through this strategy, addresses the need for making the experiences of women as well as men, an integral dimension of the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and projects. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality.
There are high hopes attached to this project as it will encourage more women to join law enforcement agencies. “We have come a long way. We wear uniforms and walk without any fear. Our parents do not feel ashamed and we are proud of it,” says Batool.
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Press Release
01 July 2022
Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 30 June 2022
UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
UNDP INL and the Anti-Narcotics Force Pakistan hold ground-breaking ceremony and launch event
Islamabad, June 30: UNDP, U.S. State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) and the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Pakistan held a ground-breaking ceremony and launch event for INL supported projects at the ANF Academy in Islamabad. The key objectives of the projects are to provide new residential facilities and an academic block for women, and to assist ANF Academy in improving its training capacities.
The project amounting to a total of $1.2 million is expected to be completed in September 2023. The four-story building will include an academic block for the ANF Academy, and a dedicated residential facility for ANF women trainees and those from other counter narcotics law enforcement agencies.
The new women’s hostel will accommodate approximately 25 ANF women, which will increase women’s participation in ANF training activities. The academic block will provide classrooms and training halls to accommodate an estimated 60 additional men and women trainees. It will therefore allow ANF to train more men and women officers. Furthermore, the new premises will also avail space for personnel from other counter narcotics law enforcement agencies to undertake research and analysis.
The project ‘Countering Production and Trade in Illegal Drugs Through Improved Training Facilities for the ANF & Enhancing the Training Capabilities of the Anti-Narcotics Force’ is an important work stream of INL and UNDP’s broader efforts to improve training facilities and academic capabilities of the ANF Academy..
Director-General ANF Mr. Ghulam Shabbir Narejo highlighted that “INL and UNDP are trusted partners of ANF and have been supporting many critical capacity building and infrastructure development projects in Pakistan. They have contributed significantly to deliver effective counternarcotic law enforcement.” He also extended his appreciation to INL and UNDP for its ongoing support and partnership with ANF, to build stronger and highly professional law enforcement in Pakistan.
Speaking at the occasion, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Ms. Aliona Niculita spoke about UNDP and INL’s ongoing strategic support to enhance law enforcement capacities across Pakistan. “UNDP and INL in partnership with ANF and other law enforcement institutions have worked on multiple projects including but not limited to, the Joint Police Training Center in Nowshera, Police Training Center in Quetta, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prosecution Academy, and the Anti-Narcotics Force Academy. We hope that our initiatives will play a significant role in building efficient law enforcement agencies with skilled professionals to strengthen the rule of law and better serve the public in Pakistan. I am hopeful that the addition of the women’s hostel will encourage more women to join the Anti-Narcotics Force and progress in their careers, that is crucial for stronger law enforcement. This is one of the many interventions INL and UNDP are working on together to strengthen rule of law in Pakistan, enhance skills and capabilities of law enforcement officials and increase women’s representation in the forces”
United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. Ms. Mia Sato stressed on the significance of increasing women’s representation in law enforcement forces. “Pakistan recognizes the benefits of recruiting, training, and promoting more women officers but there are also multiple challenges in this regard. Creating an enabling environment for women in the force to thrive and encourage others to join is crucial and a positive first step”.
Assistant Secretary U.S. State Department INL Todd Robinson said that this groundbreaking event demonstrates the long-term partnership between the US Government and Pakistan, this year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the partnership between INL and Pakistan under the banner of “Justice, Security, and Prosperity”, with more than $1 billion invested by INL over four decades to improve citizen security and enhance law enforcement capacity across Pakistan. “Global practices have shown that diverse workforces lead to more effective and broader decision-making, and diversity is critical for establishing and maintaining public trust in policing “. He also expressed his thanks to UNDP for its tireless efforts as the project’s implementing partner and highlighted that today is an important milestone in INL, ANF and UNDP partnership to strengthen Pakistan’s law enforcement forces.
Federal Secretary Ministry of Narcotics-Control Ms. Humaira Ahmad said that the Ministry is committed to work together with its development partners to peruse our common objectives in combatting illicit drugs transiting through Pakistan. Promoting recruitment, retention, advancement, and gender mainstreaming of women police in Pakistan is an important step in this journey”.
Chief Guest Federal Minister Narcotics Honourable Mr. Nawabzada Shazain Bugti congratulated UNDP, INL and ANF on their efforts to increase women’s representation in the force. “Women in Pakistan are strong, resilient and motivated to excel in any field and this intervention will provide them a conducive environment at ANF to thrive in”.
This project is being implemented under the UNDP's Strengthening Rule of Law Programme, which supports both supply and demand sides of the rule of law, justice, and security sector by strengthening institutional capacity, citizen rights, and by deepening the ongoing efforts to secure peace and stability.
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Press Release
28 June 2022
Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 28 June 2022
UNHABITAT
PRESS RELEASE
MoU signed between Government of Pakistan and Korea Land and Housing Corporation for sustainable urban development in Pakistan through emission reduction activities under the framework of the Paris Agreement
Korea Land and Housing Corporation signed MoU with Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan to support sustainable urban development in Pakistan through emission reduction activities under the framework of the Paris Agreement. Signing ceremony was held in Katowice, Poland at the sidelines of World Urban Forum 11 on June 28, 2022. MoU was signed by Mr. Muhammad Jaffar, Charge d’ Affairs of Pakistan Embassy, Poland and Mr. Shin, Koung Choul, Vice President.
The MoU aims to implement interventions for GHG emission reduction and improved living environment in the urban areas in Pakistan in order to contribute to improving the quality of life of the residents and sustainable development of Pakistan. Korea Land and Housing Corporation will establish implementation plans for GHG emission reduction and improved living environment in urban areas of Pakistan. Ministry of Climate Change will prepare measures and policies to support and facilitate for GHG emission reduction in Urban Areas of Pakistan by including communications between Korea Land and Housing Corporation, municipalities, local governments, communities and residents
Mr. Muhammad Jaffar appreciated the Korean government who is faithfully fulfilling the Paris Agreement to set itself onto a sustainable, low-carbon path. He added that In order to make urbanization sustainable, our urban areas need to be visualized as a part of the socially transformed spatial regions, which requires inclusiveness, competitiveness, building safer cities and promoting energy efficient utilization of resources. Pakistan has devised a three prong strategy to reduce GHG emissions, focusing on overall environmental surroundings, houses and transportation. This strategy includes flagship initiatives of Clean Green Pakistan Movement, Greening of Building Sector, and National Electric Policy.
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
Staggering scale of grave violations against children in conflict revealed in new UNICEF analysis
Between 2016 and 2020, average of 71 verified grave violations against children every day
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 28 June 2022 – Between 2005 and 2020, the United Nations verified over 266,000 grave violations against children committed by parties to conflict in more than 30 conflict situations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, UNICEF said today in a new report[1]. This figure is a fraction of the violations believed to have occurred, as access and security constraints, among others, and the shame, pain, and fear that child and family survivors suffer often hamper the reporting, documentation and verification of grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict.
The report – 25 years of children and armed conflict: Taking action to protect children in war – found that between 2005 and 2020 more than 104,100 children have been verified as killed or maimed in situations of armed conflict; more than 93,000 children have been verified as recruited and used by parties to conflict; at least 25,700 children have been verified as abducted by parties to conflict; parties to conflict have raped, forcibly married, sexually exploited, and committed other grave forms of sexual violence against at least 14,200 children. The United Nations verified more than 13,900 incidents of attacks against schools and hospitals and verified no fewer than 14,900 incidents of denial of humanitarian access for children since 2005.
“This report lays out in the starkest possible terms the world’s failure to protect its children from grave violations during times of armed conflict,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Grave violations devastate children, families, and communities – and they tear at the fabric of society, making it even harder to restore and sustain peace, security, and stability. We must refuse to accept violations against children as an unavoidable outcome of war.”
Based on sixteen years of data from the Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, the report illustrates the impact that armed conflicts have had on children, by presenting trends of grave violations across the world and over time. The report examines how information on the documented patterns of grave violations is being used to respond to children’s needs and how engagement with parties to conflict – State and non-State actors alike[2]– enables ending and preventing grave violations.
The annual number of verified violations has gradually increased since 2005[3], surpassing 20,000 in a year for the first time in 2014 and reaching 26,425 in 2020. Between 2016 and 2020, the daily global average of verified grave violations stood at an alarming 71 violations. The elevated number of violations observed in recent years demonstrates the dramatic impact that armed conflict – and increasingly complex and protracted protection crises[4] – have on children.
The report notes that many children suffer from more than one violation, increasing their vulnerability. For example, abduction is often combined with or leads to other violations, particularly recruitment and use and sexual violence. Children – especially girls – who have been abducted and/or associated with parties to conflict are exposed to elevated risks of sexual violence, including rape, sexual exploitation and forced marriage.
The report found that grave violations against children were committed by all parties to conflict, States and non-State actors alike. Between 2016 and 2020, State actors – including national and international forces and coalitions – were responsible for at least 26% of all violations. In comparison, non-State actors accounted for about 58% of all verified violations, underscoring the importance of engagement with all parties to conflict, including non-state actors, to meaningfully end and prevent violations against children.
In order to bolster accountability, parties to conflict listed in the Secretary-General’s annual report on children and armed conflict develop and implement Action Plans with specific, concrete, and time-bound actions to establish sustainable measures to protect children from the impact of conflict. Between 2005 and 2021, a total of 37 Action Plans have been signed by parties to conflict in 17 conflict situations. Around 70 per cent of Action Plans were signed with non-State actors, with the remaining 30 per cent signed with State actors. The report lays out several examples highlighting the critical value and impact of Action Plans in bringing about positive change for children, both in the immediate and long terms, as well as outlining challenges and obstacles.
The ever-growing number of armed non-State actors, the development and employment of new means and methods of warfare, the use of improvised explosive devices and other explosive weapons, particularly in populated areas, are just some of the many factors contributing to the creation of unprecedented challenges for the protection of children in situations of armed conflict.
The report also found:
· Children from poorer backgrounds and children of specific status or characteristics[5] – including refugee, internally displaced and indigenous children, among others – remain at heightened risk of grave violations.
· Available sex-disaggregated data indicates that verified incidents of grave violations have predominantly affected boys. [6]For instance, in 2020, boys accounted for 73 per cent of all child victims, with the vast majority of child victims of recruitment and use (85 per cent boys), abduction (76 per cent boys) and killing and maiming (70 per cent boys) being boys. In comparison, girls accounted for one-fourth (26 per cent) of all child victims, including 98 per cent of child victims of rape and other grave forms of sexual violence.
· Between 2016 and 2020, 79 per cent of all verified child casualties – or about 41,900 children – occurred in only five situations: Afghanistan (30 per cent), Israel and the State of Palestine (14 per cent), Syria (13 per cent), Yemen (13 per cent) and Somalia (9 per cent).
· The use of explosive weapons, particularly in populated areas and those with wide area effect, are a persistent threat to children and their families. In 2020 alone, explosive weapons and explosive remnants of war were responsible for at least 47 per cent of all child casualties, resulting in more than 3,900 children killed and maimed.
It is important to note that the increase in verified violations over time also underscores the increasing strength of the monitoring and reporting mechanism over the years. The development of guidance on monitoring and reporting, the training and capacity building of UN and its partners’ staff on documenting grave violations, and the awareness raising of families and communities on the protection risks for children, have all contributed to strengthen the mechanism and enabled it to collect increased information on grave violations against children.
Whilst the overall ability of the United Nations to document and verify incidents of grave violations has increased over time, it has fluctuated from one year to another, from one situation to another, and from one violation to another. In this regard, and based on all of the above, direct comparisons between situations, years, or violations should be undertaken with caution.
“UNICEF and our partners will not waver in our work to prevent grave violations against children,” said Russell. “With more children affected by conflict, violence, and crises now than at any time since the Second World War, this work has never been more urgent.”
The report recommendations, based on the evidence and analysis presented, aim to mobilize all concerned stakeholders, including parties to conflict, States, and the UN Security Council, to effectively and sustainably protect children and to accelerate action at local, national, regional, and global levels.
In addition to calling on parties to conflict, and states, to abide by their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, the report includes recommendations on:
· how to better provide adequate care and response services to children affected by conflict,
· ways to improve data disaggregation and analysis for better response and prevention,
· how to support Country Task Forces on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMRs) to accelerate action, and improve CTFMR engagement with governments;
· ways to better engage with parties to conflict to develop Action Plans and sustainably protect children.
#####
Notes to editors:
Full report and multimedia materials available here.
Find out more about UNICEF's work in Ukraine here.
ABOUT UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
For more information please contact:
Sara Alhattab, UNICEF New York, +1 917 957 6536, salhattab@unicef.org
UNODC
MEDIA ADVISORY
Launch of the World Drug Report 2022
Wednesday 29 June 2022, 11:45 hrs at Crystal Ball Room Marriott Hotel, Islamabad
28 June 2022, Islamabad – UNODC Country Office Pakistan together with the Government of Pakistan is launching World Drug Report 2022 on Wednesday 29 June 2022 at Crystal Ball Room, Marriot Hotel Islamabad.
Dr Jeremy Milsom Country Representative UNODC shall unveil the four priority areas on Country Programme which will be much more innovative and will better integrate and synergize all thematic areas at national, regional, and global level.
Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, Honourable Nawabzada Shazain Bugti has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest of the World Drug Report launch ceremony. The launch will be co-chaired by Federal Secretary Ms Humaira Ahmed and attended by counterparts, senior government officials, international community, representatives of private-sector associations, development partners, Academia, Ambassadors, Diplomats, and colleagues from UN agencies.
You are cordially invited to do the coverage and attend the World Drug Report Launch 2022 on Wednesday 29 June 2022, 11:45 hrs at Crystal Ball Room Marriott Hotel, Islamabad followed by lunch
For further information or media enquiries please contact:
Ms Rizwana Rahool, Communication Officer; Email: rizwana.asad@un.org , Cell: 03018564255.
UNIDO
PRESS RELEASE
UNIDO together with the public and private partners recognizes and celebrates the Micro, Small, & Medium-sized Enterprise’s contributions in the Sustainable Development
Islamabad (27 June 2022), The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) organized a commemoration of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day to recognize the MSMEs' contribution to the economic growth and sustainable development in Pakistan, and to identify synergies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Additional Secretary of Ministry of Industries and Production, Govt of Pakistan, Mr. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo who was the Chief Guest of the event commended the contribution of UNIDO in strengthening the MSMEs in Pakistan and shared his remarks saying “SMEs play a pivotal role in the high-income sector. The Government of Pakistan’s SME policy is comprehensive, conducive, and user-friendly. UNIDO’s Country program is very much aligned with the national objectives. UNIDO has developed a valuable partnership with NRSP to strengthen and improve the incomes of the rural communities.” With this, he also extended a special thanks to UNIDO for developing this very important sector.
Earlier, opening the ceremony, Ms. Nadia Aftab, UNIDO Country Representative, extended appreciation to the guests and said, “the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, in April 2017, recognizing the crucial role MSMEs play in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. She highlighted the COVID impact and said "Pakistan has managed the COVID-19 pandemic remarkably well as compared to other countries in the world. However, MSMEs are still in dire need of support for the enhancement of their business portfolios". She re-iterated "UNIDO is geared and focused on spurring innovation, creativity, and decent work for all so that this sector would flourish as well”. She also underscored UNIDO’s mandate of Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) which implies that no one is left behind and all parts of society benefit from industrial progress, which also provides the means for tackling critical social and humanitarian needs.
The event featured detailed presentations on the results achieved by UNIDO Pakistan from a series of successful projects supporting the MSMEs through the years, and an overview of Renewable Energy Investment Projects Support for Small Businesses and Micro Enterprises funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This was followed up by special remarks by Dr. Rashid Bajwa, CEO of NRSP in which he presented the partnership of UNIDO with NRSP and its impacts which showed improved lives of smallholder farmers and micro-enterprises especially woman-owned small businesses.
The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Industries and Production, Ministry of Climate Change, national and international development organizations, Microfinance banks, and academia. The participants appreciated the efforts of UNIDO on MSME's development initiatives.
UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations focusing on inclusive and sustainable industrial development in the developing world. UNIDO works on different projects which are directly or indirectly related to inclusive and sustainable industrial development, Climate Change, Trade, etc. In all projects where UNIDO provides technical assistance, it is ensured that the project is sustainable and adaptable for the private sector. UNIDO is fully working on its theme of ISID (Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development) which refers active participation of women along with men in all aspects of Inclusive and Sustainable industrial development. For more information, please visit the website https://www.unido.org
For more information contact
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
Phone: +92-51-835-4812
Fax: +92-51-835-4800
Email: a.nasimkhan@unido.org
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Press Release
27 June 2022
Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 25 June 2022
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
MESSAGE ON MICRO-, SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES DAY
27 June 2022
Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises represent around 90 per cent of global businesses, more than 60 percent of employment and half of GDP worldwide. They are the economic lifeblood of communities around the world.
But they have also been disproportionately impacted by a host of challenges that are disrupting economies -- from climate catastrophe to COVID-19 to the global fallout from the war in Ukraine.
The theme of this year’s Day, “Resilience and Rebuilding”, highlights the vital role of micro-, small and medium sized enterprises for a fair and sustainable recovery.
Strengthening small businesses helps fight poverty, create jobs and safeguard livelihoods, particularly for the working poor, women and youth. We must all do more to support these enterprises in building resilience to external shocks and pursuing sustainable business models.
On this International Day of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, let us renew our commitment to leverage their full potential, rescue the Sustainable Development Goals and build a more prosperous and just world for all.
UNWOMEN, UNDP & UNODC
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Federal Steering Committee assures strong commitment for EU-supported ‘Deliver Justice Project’ implemented by UNDP, UNODC and UN Women
Islamabad, 20 April 2022—The Federal Steering Committee (FSC) of the ‘Deliver Justice’ programme was held today at the Economic Affairs Division (EAD), where key federal and provincial government stakeholders and development partners came together to amplify programme oversight and to discuss challenges and opportunities.
The ‘Deliver Justice’ programme aims to support reform processes to ensure delivery of people-centered justice, enhance access to justice for all, particularly women and marginalized groups; and improve service delivery of the security sector in line with constitutional safeguards and international standards. Implemented in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Merged Areas, the programme is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Joint Secretary Economic Affair Division, Ms. Anita Turab chaired the meeting and thanked the European Union for its continued support for the rule of law and building capacity of relevant institutions. In her opening remarks, Ms. Turab emphasized that the Government of Pakistan has a strong commitment and interest in reinforcing the rule of law and justice system in Pakistan. She added, “The Government of Pakistan is pleased to partner with UNDP, UNODC and UN Women to implement the reform agenda smoothly under the EU-funded Rule of Law Programme in KP and Balochistan.”
In his welcome remarks, the Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, Mr. Ovidiu Mic, reiterated the EU’s commitment to join forces with Pakistan to actively advance the delivery of justice, peace, and security for the people, particularly women and girls. He emphasized that “this work is also an essential part of the priorities of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan agreed in 2019.”
The inception phase of this programme last year provided the building blocks to support the current engagements and make a transition towards successful implementation of the programme. Enhanced partnerships at federal and provincial levels, engaging all key stakeholders in the rule of law sector including the Legal Aid and Justice Authority (LAJA) and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) at the federal level, the Judicial Academies, the Courts, the Home Departments and relevant offices, were recognised as key achievements under the project.
On the occasion, the UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative, Mr. Knut Ostby, thanked the Government of Pakistan and the European Union for their continued support in strengthening the rule of law and access to justice in Pakistan. He said, “UNDP has been a long-standing partner of the Government of Pakistan in supporting and strengthening Rule of Law institutions for enhanced service delivery, and improving access to justice for citizens, particularly the most vulnerable and the marginalized. UNDP is privileged to be a long-standing partner in the development and implementation of Rule of Law roadmaps.”
UN Women Pakistan Representative, Ms. Sharmeela Rassool, in her remarks said, “UN Women is delighted to be part of this joint programme, and the core of our work focuses on supporting women, girls, and vulnerable segments of society access formal justice mechanisms. While in parallel we will build up the capacity of our government partners to provide justice and redressal mechanisms in an efficient, empathetic and gender sensitive manner.”
UNODC Pakistan Representative, Mr. Jeremy Milsom, assured UNODC’s commitment towards accelerating progress and catalyzing valuable reform in rule of law and criminal justice system through this project. “This first FSC meeting marks yet another milestone for this programme. As we all know, Provincial Steering Committee meetings have been successfully conducted both in Balochistan and KP in January this year. We are looking forward to the success of this meeting as well.”
During the meeting, the work plan for the current year was presented to the committee. The work plan included working alongside law enforcement agencies to strengthen rule of law, including initiation of trainings for two thousand police personnel from the Merged Areas. Refurbishment of the Prison Academy, seven district prisons in the Merged Areas and five central prisons will also take place. For Balochistan, work will commence on establishing smart police stations along with Police Facilitation centers. This workplan also includes establishment of smart classrooms in Balochistan Judicial Academy and Police Training College, Quetta. Prison Management Information System (PMIS) is also planned to be developed and implemented in the prison facilities of Balochistan.
For additional information, please reach out:
Ayesha Babar, Communications Analyst, and Head of Communications Unit, UNDP Pakistan | ayesha.babar@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5650
Rizwana Rahool, Communications Officer, UNODC | rizwana.asad@un.org or 030198564255,
Anam Abbas, Communications Officer, UN Women | anam.abbas@unwomen.org or 03098552200,
About UNDP:
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP
About UNODC:
UNODC is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. UNODC operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices. Learn more at unodc.org or follow at @UNODC
About UN Women:
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. Learn more at unwomen.org or follow @UNWomen
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Press Release
27 June 2022
Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 19 June 2022
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
MESSAGE ON MICRO-, SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES DAY
27 June 2022
Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises represent around 90 per cent of global businesses, more than 60 percent of employment and half of GDP worldwide. They are the economic lifeblood of communities around the world.
But they have also been disproportionately impacted by a host of challenges that are disrupting economies -- from climate catastrophe to COVID-19 to the global fallout from the war in Ukraine.
The theme of this year’s Day, “Resilience and Rebuilding”, highlights the vital role of micro-, small and medium sized enterprises for a fair and sustainable recovery.
Strengthening small businesses helps fight poverty, create jobs and safeguard livelihoods, particularly for the working poor, women and youth. We must all do more to support these enterprises in building resilience to external shocks and pursuing sustainable business models.
On this International Day of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, let us renew our commitment to leverage their full potential, rescue the Sustainable Development Goals and build a more prosperous and just world for all.
UNWOMEN
PRESS RELEASE
UN Women Pakistan and the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) at National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) signed an MOU
UN Women Pakistan and the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) at National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) signed an MOU to collaborate on advancing gender-responsive peacekeeping operations. The signing ceremony took place at CIPS in Islamabad on June 24, 2022. It was signed between Ms. Sharmeela Rassool, Country Representative UN Women Pakistan and Major General (retd.) Muhammad Salim Raza, HI (M), Principal NIPCONS, NUST.
The MOU aims at strengthening organizational collaboration on issues relating to Gender Equality and Diversity through reciprocated partnership and training mechanisms for peacekeepers.
Pakistan is the largest and longest troop-contributing countries for UN peacekeeping forces around the globe, having deployed 200,000 forces since 1960. Pakistan also became the first country to achieve the goal of deployment of 15% female staff officers as nearly 450 women have served in UN missions. “UNSCR 1325 is the cornerstone of our peacekeeping operations. We recognize the differential role played by women in making communities more peaceful and resilient,” said Brig ® Mirza Saleem Beig, HOD UN Peacekeeping Training.
UN Women leads the mandate on implementing UNSCR 1325 relating to Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS) that aims to ensure women’s priorities are central to peacebuilding at all levels. To achieve this goal, it addresses social, cultural and political barriers and protection risks that limit women’s full participation in achieving and sustaining peace. In the peacekeeping sphere, women involvement ensures greater access to marginalized communities, helps in promoting human rights and the protection of civilians, and encourages women to become a meaningful part of peace and political processes.
“UN peacekeepers from Pakistan embody the spirit and values of Pakistani society as peace ambassadors. This MOU is a first step in strengthening integration of gender perspective in the training curriculum and further increasing women’s participation at all levels of peace processes,” said UN Women Country Representative Ms. Sharmeela Rassool.
For more information:
Contact: Anam Abbas, Communications Officer, UN Women Pakistan
Email: anam.abbas@unwomen.org phone: 03098552200
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Press Release
24 June 2022
Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 24 June 2022
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING
26 June 2022
This year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking shines a spotlight on the impact of drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises.
Conflicts, climate disasters, forced displacement and grinding poverty create fertile ground for drug abuse — with COVID-19 making a bad situation even worse. At the same time, people living through humanitarian emergencies are far less likely to have access to the care and treatment they need and deserve.
Meanwhile, criminals are profiting from people’s misery, with cocaine production at record highs, and a five-fold increase in seizures of methamphetamines and a near-quadrupling of amphetamine seizures over the last decade.
On this International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we renew our commitment to ending this scourge and supporting those who fall victim to it.
This includes non-discriminatory policy solutions centred around people, health and human rights, underpinned by strengthened international cooperation to curb the illicit drug trade and hold accountable those who profit from human misery.
We must also strengthen science-based treatment and support services for drug users, and treat them as victims who need treatment rather than punishment, discrimination and stigma — including treatment for those living with infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
We cannot allow the world’s drug problem to further shadow the lives of the tens of millions of people living through humanitarian crises.
On this important day, let us commit to lifting this shadow once and for all, and giving this issue the attention and action it deserves.
***
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE SEAFARER
25 June 2022
The world counts on seafarers.
Their contribution is immeasurable. Ships transport a remarkable 90 per cent of the world’s commodities — from grains and energy, to consumer goods and much more. Without ships and the women and men who work on them, economies would stall and people would starve.
Seafarers worldwide have faced immense challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic — including contracts extended long beyond their expiry dates and maximum periods of service, and challenges related to vaccinations, medical care and shore leave.
This year’s theme — “Your Voyage, Then and Now” — is an opportunity to recognize the vital role seafarers play, and look to the future.
Above all, this means listening to seafarers themselves. They know better than anyone their needs and what this industry needs to do to address key challenges. This includes the expansion of social protection, better working conditions, addressing the crew-change crisis, adopting new digital tools to enhance safety and efficiency, and making this industry greener and more sustainable.
On this International Day of the Seafarer, we renew our commitment to supporting seafarers everywhere, and honouring the knowledge, professionalism and experience they bring to this essential industry.
***
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
Global hunger crisis pushing one child into severe malnutrition every minute in 15 crisis-hit countries
Ahead of G7 summit, UNICEF appeals for US$1.2 billion to meet urgent needs of 8 million children at risk of death from severe wasting
Multimedia content is available to download here
NEW YORK, 24 June 2022 — Almost 8 million children under 5 in 15 crisis-hit countries are at risk of death from severe wasting unless they receive immediate therapeutic food and care – with the number rising by the minute, UNICEF warned today as world leaders prepare to meet at the G7 summit.
Since the start of the year, the escalating global food crisis has forced an additional 260,000 children – or one child every 60 seconds – to suffer from severe wasting in 15 countries bearing the brunt of the crisis, including in the Horn of Africa and the Central Sahel. This rise in severe wasting is in addition to existing levels of child undernutrition that UNICEF warned amounted to a ‘virtual tinderbox’ last month.
“We are now seeing the tinderbox of conditions for extreme levels of child wasting begin to catch fire,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Food aid is critical, but we cannot save starving children with bags of wheat. We need to reach these children now with therapeutic treatment before it is too late.”
Soaring food prices driven by the war in Ukraine, persistent drought due to climate change in some countries, at times combined with conflict, and the ongoing economic impact of COVID-19 continue to drive up children’s food and nutrition insecurity worldwide, resulting in catastrophic levels of severe malnutrition in children under 5. In response, UNICEF is scaling up its efforts in 15 most affected countries. Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen will be included in an acceleration plan to help avert an explosion of child deaths and mitigate the long-term damage of severe wasting.
Severe wasting – where children are too thin for their height – is the most visible and lethal form of undernutrition. Weakened immune systems increase the risk of death among children under 5 by up to 11 times compared to well-nourished children.
Within the 15 countries, UNICEF estimates that at least 40 million children are severely nutrition insecure, meaning they are not receiving the bare minimum diverse diet they need to grow and develop in early childhood. Further, 21 million children are severely food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough food to meet minimum food needs, leaving them at high risk of severe wasting.
Meanwhile, the price of ready-to-use therapeutic food to treat severe wasting has soared by 16 per cent in recent weeks due to a sharp rise in the cost of raw ingredients, leaving up to 600,000 additional children without access to life-saving treatment and at risk of death.
As leaders prepare to meet at the G7 summit, UNICEF is calling for US$ 1.2 billion to:
· Deliver an essential package of nutrition services and care to avert what could be millions of child deaths in 15 highest burden countries, including prevention programmes to protect maternal and child nutrition among pregnant women and young children, early detection and treatment programmes for children with severe wasting, and the procurement, and distribution of ready-to-use therapeutic food.
· Prioritize the prevention and treatment of severe wasting in all global food crisis response plans by ensuring budget allocations include preventive nutrition interventions as well as therapeutic food to address the immediate needs of children suffering from severe wasting.
“It is hard to describe what it means for a child to be ‘severely wasted,’ but when you meet a child who is suffering from this most lethal form of malnutrition, you understand – and you never forget,” said Russell. “World leaders gathering in Germany for the G7 Ministerial have a small window of opportunity to act to save these children’s lives. There is no time to waste. Waiting for famine to be declared is waiting for children to die.”
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Notes to Editors
The rate of increase in child wasting is based on publicly available estimates for January and June 2022 as found in National Nutrition Cluster estimates (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and DRC), Integrated Phase Classification Acute Malnutrition Analyses (Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, Madagascar and Haiti), Humanitarian Appeals for Children (Ethiopia, Afghanistan), and Humanitarian Needs Overviews (Sudan). The total number of children projected to suffer from severe wasting in January and June 2022 was estimated to be 7,674,098 and 7,934,357 respectively, an increase of 260,259 additional children.
As a result of the global food crisis, UNICEF also estimates that the cost of treatment of child wasting has already increased by an estimated 16 per cent, driven largely by increases in the price of essential nutrition commodities and their raw materials.
For further information, please contact:
Helen Wylie, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 244 2215, hwylie@unicef.org
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
Schools ill-equipped to provide healthy and inclusive learning environments for all children – UNICEF, WHO
NEW YORK, GENEVA, 24 June 2022 – Despite a steady decline in the proportion of schools without basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, deep inequalities persist between and within countries, UNICEF and WHO said today. Schoolchildren in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and fragile contexts are the most affected, and emerging data shows that few schools have disability-accessible WASH services.
“Far too many children go to schools without safe drinking water, clean toilets, and soap for handwashing—making learning difficult,” said Kelly Ann Naylor, UNICEF Director of Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Climate, Environment, Energy, and Disaster Risk Reduction. “The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of providing healthy and inclusive learning environments. To protect children’s education, the road to recovery must include equipping schools with the most basic services to fight infectious diseases today and in the future.”
“Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is not only essential for effective infection prevention and control, but also a prerequisite for children’s health, development and well-being,” said Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health. “Schools should be settings where children thrive and not be subjected to hardship or infections due to lack of, or poorly maintained, basic infrastructure.”
Schools play a critical role in promoting the formation of healthy habits and behaviours, yet many still lacked basic WASH services in 2021. According to the latest data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP):
· Globally, 29 per cent of schools still lack basic drinking water services, impacting 546 million schoolchildren; 28 per cent of schools still lack basic sanitation services, impacting 539 million schoolchildren; and 42 per cent of schools still do not have basic hygiene services, 802 million schoolchildren.
· One-third of children without basic services at their school live in LDCs, and over half live in fragile contexts.
· Sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania are the only two regions where coverage of basic sanitation and hygiene services in schools remains under 50 per cent; sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where coverage of basic drinking water services in schools remains under 50 per cent.
· Achieving universal coverage in schools globally by 2030 requires a 14-fold increase in current rates of progress on basic drinking water, a three-fold increase in rates of progress on basic sanitation, and a five-fold increase in basic hygiene services.
· In LDCs and fragile contexts, achieving universal coverage of basic sanitation services in schools by 2030 would require over 100-fold and 50-fold increases in respective current rates of progress.
· Improving pandemic preparedness and response will require more frequent monitoring of WASH and other elements of infection prevention and control (IPC) in schools, including cleaning, disinfection and solid waste management.
· Providing disability-accessible WASH services in schools is key to achieving inclusive learning for all children. Still, only a limited number of countries report on this indicator and national definitions vary, and far fewer provide disability-accessible WASH.
· Emerging national data shows that disability-accessible WASH coverage is low and varies widely between school levels and urban and rural locations, with schools more likely to have accessible drinking water than accessible sanitation or hygiene.
· In half the countries with data available, less than a quarter of schools had disability-accessible toilets. For example, in Yemen, 8 in 10 schools had toilets, but only 1 in 50 schools had disability-accessible toilets.
· In most countries with data, schools were more likely to have adapted infrastructure and materials – such as ramps, assistive technology, learning materials – than disability-accessible toilets. For example, in El Salvador, 2 in 5 schools have adapted infrastructure and materials, but just 1 in 20 have disability-accessible toilets.
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Notes to editors:
Read the WHO/UNICEF JMP 2022 Data Update on WASH in schools and download the data here.
Find out more about the WHO/UNICEF JMP here.
Download multimedia content here.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit: www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
About WHO
Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.
For more information about WHO and its work, visit www.who.int
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