ISLAMABAD: Development of women plays huge role in sustainable and
overall development since they are the one who make decisions for the
family and how children are to be raised.
This was said by the
climate change and sustainable development experts during a media
discussion forum on the topic of “Inspiring leadership for Sustainable
development” held at local hotel on Sunday, says a press statement.
The
discussion was a part of three days Action Lab organised by LEAD
Pakistan, started from July 23 to 25 July and was attended by national
and international participants.
Talking to participants CEO
LEAD Pakistan Ali Tauqeer Sheikh said that whether there is development
or a disaster, women are central to this. Women are sidelined in both
cases and marginalization of women cannot bring about development in a
larger sense.
“Rampant corruption in a society makes it much
harder for marginalized non-corrupt people to function ,merit is then
also an active part of development,” he added.
Akmal Hussain
said the way we use our current resources like land and water in terms
of agriculture for instance, need to be treated better.
Qamar
Zaman said climate change is also part of sustain development. We need
to create such machines and infrastructure that take into account the
dangers of climate change. Our infrastructure needs to be sustainable
in this sense to protect environment as well.
“The interesting
thing is that poor countries are more vulnerable to climate threats.
They do not have the means to adapt to severe climate changes. On a
national level, the poor are the ones who are most vulnerable to floods
eg since they do not have access to means to protect themselves. And
then within this, women are the most vulnerable” he said.
Adil
Najam while talking to participants said that disaster is man made,
hazard is natural. A disaster is a roof collapsing; because it is weak,
not because of nature. Also it is not only that women are vulnerable in
Pakistan, they are also closer to nature. In the sense that they have
to manage the households so they need to be taught how to deal better
with nature.
He said that the policies and the way we want to
bring about sustainable development should be that which we can spread
to future generations. Whoever has to live here in the future should
live in a protected environment .
“We must start taking
accountability from ourselves before we point fingers at others. We
have to start from the grassroots in order to right this situation” he
added.
The media discussion was moderated by senior anchor/News
Analyst Dr. Moeed H. Pirzada, whereas among guests were Dr. Akmal
Hussain, Professor of Economics, Beacon House National University, Ms.
Khawar Mumtaz, CEO, Shirkat Gah, Lahore, Dr. Adil Najam, Member, Board
of Governors, LEAD Pakistan, Vice Chancellor, LUMS, Pakistan and CEO
LEAD Pakistan Ali Tauqeer Sheikh. Online
