In Pakistan, gender disparities persist across various sectors including education, employment, healthcare, and political representation. Despite some progress in recent years, women continue to face systemic barriers that limit their opportunities and participation in the socioeconomic development of the country. The underrepresentation of these groups in decision-making processes, coupled with prevalent gender biases and cultural norms, exacerbates inequalities and hinders the achievement of gender justice and inclusive growth. It is a critical necessity to address these disparities through evidence-based policy-making, advocacy, and societal engagement.

As a part of this year’s International Women Day celebrations, Cyntax Health Projects has launched Gender Inclusive Policy Institute, a research and advocacy think tank promoting gender inclusivity at all levels of policy-making and societal engagement. GIPI aims to serve as a catalyst for transformative change by advocating for inclusive policies, conducting rigorous research, and empowering stakeholders through education and collaboration on 80 gender specific SDG indicators.

The launch policy institute was inaugurated by Dr. Asim Rauf, CEO DRAP. The institute will work on four strategic goals including advocacy and policy, research, collaborations and monitoring and evaluation to assess the impact of gender-inclusive policies in various sectors. We invite all key stakeholders including academic institutions, corporate firms and research and business think tanks for collaboration and develop a gender inclusive partnership network.