Karachi: Progress has been made towards improving women’s health and well-being, but important gaps still remain in meeting these objectives, said Dr Farid Khan on Saturday.
Dr Khan, the country manager for a leading biopharmaceutical company, was addressing a gathering organised to mark International Women’s Day.
He said women worldwide still had fewer opportunities to achieve the highest attainable standards of health as compared to men.
He also said women were at risk of experiencing greater suffering from the social and economic determinants of health.
Women have less access to good healthcare and they remain more vulnerable to certain diseases, disabilities and risks, he added. “Today, we invite women to continue to raise their voices, show their strength to take their own decisions, and to lead a movement for more equitable awareness and resources to shape the health of the women in Pakistan.”
He said: “We wish to emphasise the importance of the commitments made by the international community to women’s health. Our company is playing a crucial role in creating and providing health solutions to all the women of Pakistan, and we emphasise the importance of women’s health.”
He further said: “We also propose that every individual demonstrate his commitment to women by implementing mechanisms for independent accountability: monitoring, participatory review and remedying of deficiencies for women’s health.”
Society of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists of Pakistan President Prof Dr Tasneem Ashraf told the audience that women were the building blocks of society and could not be neglected due to their lesser power and authority.
Dr Tasneem said the efforts of women were hardly recognised and appreciated. “They mostly work behind the scenes without credit. They are not only responsible for the continuation of generations, but also play a pivotal role in the family, working for their husbands, children, parents and nations in each and every field of life.”
