Islamabad: Chairperson of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, represented Pakistan at the Forum of Women Parliamentarians during the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva. She spoke at the panel discussion on Transforming Leadership: Overcoming New Challenges to Gender Equality, addressing legislators from around the world and emphasizing that leadership should not be a symbol of power or privilege but a force for service and purpose. 'We must move from dominance to dignity,' she said, highlighting the role of women in empowering marginalized communities and building the nation.
Speaking on Transformative Leadership: Building a More Balanced World within One's Sphere of Power, Senator Zehri highlighted Pakistan's progress in advancing women's rights through legislation, parliamentary oversight, and advocacy. She stressed that true leadership is about service - the most powerful form of transformation. 'I come from a land that has often been overlooked, yet it is a land of courage, resilience, and immense strength. Whenever a woman in Balochistan chairs a committee, drafts a reform bill, or raises her voice for justice, she does not just remove a barrier - she makes history,' she said.
She spoke about her leadership in key human rights legislation, including reforms related to mental health, stronger laws against gender-based violence, and digital safety measures, stressing that justice should uphold humanity and compassion, not merely punishment. Reaffirming her commitment to bipartisan cooperation, public awareness, and institutional reform, she said, 'We have turned opposition into strength by uniting for dignity and raising our collective voice.'
Referring to her work during the 2022 floods in Balochistan, she noted that leadership is defined by service driven by empathy. She also highlighted Pakistan's active role in international human rights forums, including her participation in the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Concluding her address to women leaders globally, Senator Zehri said: 'Let us lead not through power but through purpose, not with privilege but with compassion. And let us build a world where destiny is defined not by gender, but by courage.'