The Punjab SDGs Unit hosted the two-day Gender Mainstreaming training in SDGs Programming with representatives from the Government of Punjab, CSOs, the Private sector, and academia. UNDP's Senior Gender Advisor, Dr. Farzana Bari, conducted the two-day training tailored to overcome the gender knowledge gaps and develop technical skills to conduct gender analysis, planning, and programming.
The Secretary, Planning and Development Board, Punjab, Dr. Muhammad Sohail Anwar Choudhary headed the first-day session on the ‘State of gender mainstreaming in SDGs, impediments, and the way forward.’
Mr. Sohail acknowledged the commitment of the Government of Punjab to mainstreaming gender in development planning and programming through institutional capacity building of its line departments. He underscored the need to address social inequalities, especially women's vulnerabilities, through synergized efforts and public discourse to cope with these issues collectively.
Dr. Farzana Bari engaged the government officials and other sector specialists through orientation and group exercises to discuss gender-inclusive methodologies and programming & budgeting to achieve SDG 5 in Pakistan.
Notable speakers included UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative, Mr. Knut Ostby; Assistant Resident Representative and Chief Development Policy Unit, Ms. Ammara Durrani; Secretary, Planning, and Development Board, Punjab, Dr. Muhammad Sohail Anwar Choudhary; Secretary Women Development Department, Punjab, Ms. Sumaira Samad; Secretary, Punjab Commission for the Status of Women, Ms. Nada Azhar; President Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mian Nauman Kabir, and President Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Ms. Sam Ali Dada among others.
