04/06/2026
A delegation from UN Women Pakistan, led by Deputy Country Representative Fahmida Iqbal, visited Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA) and held a meeting with Vice Chairperson Jahan Ara Manzoor Wattoo at PSPA Office. Officers of PSPA also present in the meeting. The meeting aimed to explore collaboration on women’s empowerment, social protection, girls’ education, and reducing socio-economic inequalities through joint initiatives and partnerships.
During the meeting, the UN Women delegation was briefed on PSPA’s flagship programs particularly Zewar-e-Taleem Program. Findings from the programme’s Impact Evaluation Report showed improvements in girls’ enrolment, attendance, retention, and progression, while also contributing to a reduction in early marriages alongside the implementation of Punjab’s child marriage prevention law. Fahmida Iqbal appreciated the program’s impact on advancing girls’ education and protecting adolescent girls from early marriage.
Vice Chairperson PSPA, Jahan Ara Manzoor Wattoo, highlighted that in line with the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, PSPA is advancing key women-focused initiatives, including the Aaghosh Program for maternal and child health, Khud Mukhtar Program for women’s economic empowerment, and the Nai Zindagi Program supporting acid attack survivors through free treatment, reconstructive surgery, and psychological care at seven state-of-the-art burn centres.
Vice Chairperson also said that If one wants to go far, we must go with friends and partners, highlighting the importance of collective efforts for sustainable impact and emphasized that progress is strengthened through collaboration, noting that the Inter-Provincial Social Protection Forum has been established to extend successful models across provinces, including Balochistan and Sindh, and KPK for more inclusive development nationwide. In addition, she said that PSPA has also strengthened partnerships through MoUs with ILO and WFP to further empower women and vulnerable communities.
Deputy Country Representative, Fahmida Iqbal appreciated PSPA’s initiatives under the leadership of Vice Chairperson, PSPA, Jahan Ara Manzoor Wattoo for their continued progress in strengthening social protection systems, promoting girls’ education, and empowering women. She also expressed readiness to move forward with an MoU to strengthen collaboration on shared goals of social protection and women’s empowerment.
Planning & Development Board, Govt. of the Punjab Chief Minister Punjab's Updates Govt of Punjab Mohtarma JahanAra M Wattoo UN Women Pakistan
