ISLAMABAD, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that the country was committed to empowering women and gender equality to promote community and society development.

"It is our mission and an unwavering commitment to ensure emancipation of the country's women population. Women's empowerment could only be achieved by providing them equal access to education, skill development and employment opportunities," Sharif said while addressing an event held to mark the International Women's Day.

He said that the federal government has been collaborating with provinces for collective actions to promote women's integration in programs contributing to the national economy, urging women to join different professions of their expertise in order to positively contribute to a stronger economy.

Highlighting various gender-based challenges, the prime minister said that Pakistan has been taking measures to remove obstacles to enhance women participation in key areas such as education, health, governance, political representation and justice.

A working women's endowment fund was being established in a bid to support working women and help them cope with challenges, he said, adding that various initiatives have been launched to provide women facilities on par with men, eliminating discrimination against women.

"Our 50 percent women population can be turned into a productive workforce if given a level-playing field," he said. Enditem

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