KARACHI: In a positive development, Pakistan International Airlines has been titled the world’s first airline to promote safe travel for women by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
The UN Women’s Agency appraised PIA’s efforts to provide safe travel facilities to women, calling it the ‘world’s safest airline’.
In this regard, UN Women Pakistan, the country’s national flag carrier and the federal ombudsperson for protection against harassment also inked an agreement in the country’s federal capital to promote safe mobility for women and besides curbing harassment of women in public and workplaces.
UN Women 🇵🇰, @Official_PIA and the @fospah signed an MoU at Islamabad International Airport today, to promote safe mobility of women and staff, pledging to prevent the harassment of women in public places and workplaces.✈️#SayNoMore#HarrassmentFreeWorkplaces pic.twitter.com/OmlAkDSCOD
— UN Women Pakistan (@unwomen_pak) September 26, 2021
An official statement issued in this regard cited “With nearly half of workforce of Pakistan comprising of women that often feel bared to fully contribute in the society and economic prosperity, due to Perceived and real hazards faced during transportation. It is every women’s and girl’s right that they are provided with the same opportunity to travel freely and without fear of being harassed”.
#PIA, @unwomen_pak and @fospah ink an MoU to create awareness & work against #harassment during #Travel & #Onboard. PIA becomes 1st Airline in the world to implement such a program. #UN #WomensRights #StopHarassment #SafeTravels #women pic.twitter.com/P0g25sXLSK
— PIA (@Official_PIA) September 26, 2021
PIA Chief Arshad Malik, UN Women’s Agency chief Sharmeela Rasool and federal ombudsperson Kashmala Tariq also attended the ceremony.
As per the agreement, PIA officially joins hands with the UN program to curb harassment. The federal ombudsman and the airline will take legal action to prevent harassment at airports and flights. Airline and UN agencies will also spread awareness and campaign for a safe travel environment for all women.
PIA CEO while speaking at the ceremony termed it as a matter of great honor for the administration of the national flag carrier.
Meanwhile, UN Women Agency official Sharmeela Rasool said a safe environment for women will play a crucial part in the rapid development of Pakistan, while the PML-Q leader said she would work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
