KARACHI: The Pakistan Polio Eradication Program paid tribute to female polio workers on Friday, said an officials statement, recognizing their dedication in high-risk areas during a ceremony in Islamabad ahead of International Women’s Day.
Pakistan remains one of the few countries where polio persists, with eradication efforts often hindered by militant attacks, misinformation and parental refusals from targeted communities.
Female health workers play a leading role in the door-to-door inoculation drives, constituting more than 58.4 percent of the polio workforce, despite operating in some of the most challenging environments.
“Today, as we commemorate International Women’s Day, I want to reaffirm our collective commitment to ensuring a safe, dignified and enabling environment for every female frontline worker,” the polio eradication program’s statement quoted Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio, saying during the ceremony.
She highlighted the Pakistan Polio Programme’s implementation of an anti-harassment policy to ensure a secure and professional environment for female workers.
The event brought together national and provincial coordinators of the polio program alongside senior officials, where frontline female workers shared their experiences through video messages.
Many spoke about the challenges of convincing hesitant families while also expressing pride in their contributions to a polio-free future.
Anwarul Haq, the top official at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), praised their dedication, calling them the “backbone” of Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.
“This year’s theme resonates deeply with us at the National Emergency Operations Center as we honor female polio workers who are considered as the backbone of Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts,” he said. “These women work tirelessly, often in difficult and high-risk areas, to ensure every child receives the life-saving polio vaccine.”
“Their courage and unwavering commitment reflect the incredible strength of Pakistani women,” he continued. “Empowering them is not just about recognizing their contributions: it is about strengthening our communities and ensuring a healthier, polio-free Pakistan.”
Haq stressed the importance of gender sensitivity in public health, saying that supporting women in frontline health roles helps build a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous society.
Pakistan concluded its first nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2025 last month.
So far, the country has reported six polio cases since the start of the year, with authorities planning additional vaccination rounds in April and May.
Pakistan honors female polio workers ahead of International Women’s Day
https://arab.news/v6vat
Pakistan honors female polio workers ahead of International Women’s Day
- Female health workers play a leading role in the door-to-door inoculation drives in high-risk areas
- The country’s polio eradication program calls them the “backbone” of efforts to eliminate the disease
Pakistan launches digital cash aid for low-income families during Ramadan, PM says
- Ramadan relief moves from state-run Utility Stores to targeted digital wallet transfers
- Government to transfer financial assistance through wallets to support sehri, iftar expenses
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will provide financial assistance to low-income households through digital wallets during the fasting month of Ramadan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday, announcing a government relief initiative aimed at helping families afford daily meals.
The support program comes as many Pakistanis continue to face elevated food and utility costs despite easing inflation, with Ramadan traditionally increasing household spending on staple foods, fruits and energy consumption.
For decades, government-run Utility Stores Corporation outlets were central to Ramadan relief in Pakistan, selling subsidized flour, sugar, ghee and pulses through special “Ramzan packages” that drew long queues in low-income neighborhoods. In recent years, however, authorities have steadily scaled back the system amid mounting losses, corruption complaints and logistical inefficiencies, shifting instead toward targeted cash transfers delivered through digital wallets and banking channels.
The change reflects a broader policy move away from state-managed commodity distribution toward direct financial assistance intended to give households flexibility while reducing leakages in subsidy programs.
“The Government of Pakistan has launched a Ramadan package under which financial assistance will be transferred to deserving individuals through digital wallets so that households can maintain sehri and iftar meals,” Sharif said in a message issued by his office.
The prime minister said Ramadan encourages compassion and collective responsibility toward vulnerable segments of society, adding that welfare support was part of the state’s duty during the holy month.
Officials say the digital cash transfers approach improves transparency and reduces corruption risks while enabling faster payments nationwide, particularly in urban low-income communities.
But the shift to fully digital assistance also brings challenges.
Access to smartphones and reliable mobile Internet remains uneven, particularly in rural areas and among older recipients, while many low-income households use SIM cards registered to someone else, complicating verification.
