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ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister&rsquo;s Focal Person on Polio, Ayesha Raza Farooq, has been named Pakistan&rsquo;s first Gender Champion by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), in recognition of her leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality and women&rsquo;s empowerment in public health, said a press release issued by GPEI on Wednesday. &ldquo;The appointment highlights Farooq&rsquo;s continued efforts to integrate gender perspectives into Pakistan&rsquo;s polio eradication program and strengthen the leadership and visibility of women across all levels of implementation,&rdquo; it said. Over 0.4m frontline health workers&nbsp;&ldquo;Across the country, more than 400,000 frontline health workers, nearly 60% of whom are women, form the backbone of the national effort to reach every child with the life-saving polio vaccine.&rdquo;<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/5f98bdbd-741d-4aa1-a04e-d7c367bd8dd0-Untitled(11).jpg" alt="Untitled(11).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 1000px; height: 563px;"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">A health worker climbs during a door-to-door poliovirus vaccination campaign amidst heavy snow in the Bakwali-Surgan area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Neelum Valley, on February 4, 2025. -- Photo by AFP/File</figcaption></figure> &ldquo;Their courage, trust, and determination continue to be central to Pakistan&rsquo;s success in the fight to end polio,&rdquo; the statement added. &ldquo;For me, the fight against polio is not only about protecting children&rsquo;s health - it&rsquo;s about equity, opportunity, and empowerment,&rdquo; said Farooq. &lsquo;Breaking barriers&rsquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Every day, I see how women are the true drivers of this mission: leading vaccination teams, breaking barriers in their communities, and carrying the hope of a healthier future.&rdquo; Farooq&rsquo;s recognition by GPEI underscores the essential link between gender equality and health outcomes, as well as Pakistan&rsquo;s growing leadership in championing inclusive approaches to global health. &ldquo;As Gender Champion, Farooq has reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for women&rsquo;s leadership in health, amplifying the voices and stories of female frontline workers, and ensuring gender integration and accountability remain central to the program&rsquo;s work,&rdquo; the statement said. &ldquo;Farooq&rsquo;s role as Pakistan&rsquo;s first Gender Champion reflects both the nation&rsquo;s leadership in the global fight to eradicate polio and its deep commitment to a more equitable and inclusive future for every child,&rdquo; the press release concluded.

Health

The appointment highlights Ayesha Raza Farooq’s continued efforts to integrate gender perspectives into Pakistan’s polio eradication program, says a statement; Farooq says ‘women are the true drivers of this mission.’

Pakistan’s focal person on polio named ‘Gender Champion’ by international body 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister&rsquo;s Focal Person on Polio, Ayesha Raza Khan, on Thursday met with Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Tarik Ali Khan, appreciating Ottawa&rsquo;s longstanding support in the fight against polio in Pakistan, a statement by Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative said. Ali Khan was received today at the National Emergency Operations Center along with core group members and representatives from UNICEF and the World Health Organization, the statement said. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1981288340444819810&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=817436deeb6fc6d9ce22af7a5374159abfd40e8f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The focal person acknowledged Canada&rsquo;s longstanding support in Pakistan&rsquo;s polio eradication efforts, which contributed to a 99% reduction in cases since 1994, the statement added. Raza highlighted the dedication of over 400,000 vaccinators, of whom more than half were women. She also praised Canada&rsquo;s leadership in promoting gender equality, a value deeply aligned with Pakistan&rsquo;s Polio Eradication Program, the statement added. &ldquo;As we near eradication, sustaining momentum through continued collaboration and investment is vital to ensure no child ever faces paralysis again,&rdquo; she stated. Polio in PakistanThis month, a new case of wild poliovirus was confirmed in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the country&rsquo;s Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad. This marks Pakistan&#39;s 2025 tally at 30 cases. The Polio Eradication Initiative has intensified operations to sustain comprehensive coverage and ensure high-quality campaigns in vulnerable areas. Target killingsThe health workers and vaccinators continue to remain victims of target killings by the militant outfits during the nationwide campaign against the paralytic poliovirus.&nbsp;According to the estimates, there have been approximately 33 attacks resulting in 27 deaths and 77 injuries in 2024. The attacks have also claimed the lives of 17 security personnel, as per the estimates. Of these attacks, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province alone, 30 attacks were recorded, leaving 19 individuals killed, including two polio frontline workers.&nbsp; In addition, 16 security forces were also killed as per the estimates.&nbsp; Khan expressed Canada&rsquo;s continued commitment to protecting children in Pakistan and showed deep interest in understanding the program&rsquo;s challenges.&nbsp; He also praised the dedication of frontline workers, especially the thousands of women working tirelessly to protect children. The visit reaffirmed the shared vision of both nations to secure a polio-free future for every child.

Ayesha Raza highlights the dedication of over 400,000 vaccinators, praises Ottawa’s leadership in promoting gender equality.

Articles tagged with "Polio"

Pakistan’s focal person on polio named ‘Gender Champion’ by international body

Pakistan PM’s focal person on polio appreciates Canada’s support in fight