Daily Times

NEW YORK – A Pakistani woman has been named as a member of the United Nations body dedicated to the economic empowerment of women.

Fiza Farhan from Pakistan was named as a member of the first ever High-Level Panel of the UN Secretary-General on Women’s Economic Empowerment.

Fiza is the CEO of Buksh Foundation and the director of Buksh Energy Pvt Ltd. Fiza was also part of the “30under30” list by Forbes magazine for Social Entrepreneurs in 2015.She holds honoree titles of co-chairperson Italian Development Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan, Future Energy Leader at the World Energy Council and has received multiple honours over the years including the 2016 Influential Leader Award by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (ACCSB) and the 2016 Women’s Entrepreneur’s Achievement Award amongst others.

As a member of the panel, Fiza will join leaders of World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, UN Women as well as several other eminent gender and equality actors. She will also establish connection with economics experts, academics, trade union leaders, businesses and government representatives from across the world.

“It is indeed an honour for me to represent Pakistan and the women of Pakistan on this prestigious High-Level Panel,” Fiza said while speaking of her appointment. “It is time that we engage global leadership and galvanize political will to scale actions with measurable impact towards women’s economic empowerment,” she added.

She also said that gender equality, economic justice and the socio-economic empowerment of women are critical for us to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and it is time to engage global leadership and galvanize political will to scale actions with measurable impact towards women’s economic empowerment.

According to a press release by United Nations (UN), the panel will provide recommendations for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to improve economic outcomes for women and promote women’s leadership in driving sustainable and inclusive, environmentally sensitive economic growth.

“It will provide recommendations for key actions that can be taken by governments, the private sector, the UN system and other stakeholders, as well as policy directives needed to achieve the new targets and indicators in the Sustainable Development Goals which call for the economic empowerment of women, and benefits all. The panel is backed by the United Kingdom, the World Bank Group and UN Women”, the release read.