NSU & PNCU Mark International Women’s Day 2025
NSU & PNCU Celebrate IWD 2025, Calling for Urgent Action to Empower Women | By advancing skills-based education, Pakistan accelerates progress toward gender equality and economic empowerment.
National Skills University (NSU) Islamabad and the Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO (PNCU) celebrated International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme #AccelerateAction, emphasizing the need for immediate efforts to break gender barriers and biases. With current progress, gender equality is predicted to be achieved by 2158, making this year’s theme a call to drive faster, more impactful change.
As Pakistan advances in education and workforce inclusion, institutions like NSU play a vital role in transforming ambitions into achievements. This event gathered policymakers, educators, and students to discuss practical solutions for empowering women through skill-based education.
Mr. Mohiuddin Ahmad Wani, Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, highlighted key government initiatives to expand girls’ education, particularly through modern technology. He also reflected on Pakistan’s recent international conference on “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities”, held in January 2025, showcasing Pakistan’s dedication to fostering discussions and lasting solutions.
Mr. Anthony Kho Hung Tam, Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO Pakistan, along with Mr. Zafar Hayat Malik, Head of Education at UNESCO Pakistan, and their team, reaffirmed UNESCO’s commitment to advancing education and women’s empowerment. They emphasized the critical role of global partnerships in accelerating gender equality.
PNCU’s Secretary-General, Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khan, elaborated on targeted education and skill development programs that uplift women, promoting economic independence and leadership in diverse fields.
As a UNESCO-UNEVOC center, NSU is a leader in technical and vocational education, ensuring skill-based learning drives economic empowerment. Several NSU female students and professionals shared their inspiring journeys, demonstrating how skill-based education transformed their careers and lives. These stories reinforced NSU’s mission of equipping women with industry-relevant skills and positioning them as leaders in emerging sectors.
NSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, expressed gratitude to the attendees, particularly acknowledging Mr. Mohiuddin Ahmad Wani’s dedication to expanding high-tech learning for women. He reaffirmed NSU’s commitment to #AccelerateAction, ensuring every woman graduates with the confidence and skills to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, NSU and its partners send a clear message: The time for slow progress is over. Now is the moment to invest in education, challenge outdated norms, and accelerate action to empower women to shape the future.
