Moot Call for Green Infrastructure, Inclusive Society
Zeeshan Mumtaz
Speakers of a workshop have called for promoting green infrastructure to cope with the effects of climate change.
They were speaking at a workshop organised by the UNOPS Pakistan in Islamabad to highlight the issues of the rule of law and other issues being faced by ministries, provincial departments and law enforcement agencies.
National Highways and Motorway Police Inspector General Khalid Mehmood, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said that sustainable and resilient infrastructure was vital for the country, especially after the recent devastating floods wreaked havoc with it.
He said that multiple police departments in Pakistan are in significant need of the provision of green infrastructure. Whether it is police offices, training colleges, or police stations, green infrastructure is important, he said.
In the workshop, the speakers called for the need for better communication and sharing of best practices among all law enforcement agencies to ensure critical services to the public.
Role of Women in Public Sector Resources
At the UNOPS-organized workshop, the participation of women in public-sector jobs and government-sector services is also discussed and projected. It was discussed that women’s participation in the public sector declined due to multiple factors. These factors include the nonavailability of a women-friendly work environment, unjust access to professional opportunities, gender discrimination, and gender disparity in professional and educational development with cultural, social, and patriarchal elements.
The office In-charge of UNOPS Pakistan said that UNOPS Pakistan has worked with the Sindh police and the National Highways and Motorway Police.
The moot also called for women’s participation in the police to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Women’s Participation in Police Force
The workshop also highlighted women’s declined role and causes in the police force with a 10% service quota for women in the police department.
Even though the government’s efforts to increase the participation of women in public and private sectors continue, the current number of the police force is around 2% in the department, the speakers said. In the current police force, they said most women are at the constable level, and very few are at the senior level.
United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)in Pakistan
The UNOPS is mandated to implement infrastructure and procurement projects under the United Nations System, international financial institutions, governments, and other partners worldwide.
In Pakistan, UNOPS is working to support and implement the UN SDG’s goals including good health and well-being, gender equality, clean water and sanitation services, industry innovation and infrastructure and climate change.
