ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, has been named Pakistan’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’s empowerment in public health.
The appointment highlights Senator Ayesha’s continued efforts to integrate gender perspectives into Pakistan’s polio eradication programme and strengthen the leadership and visibility of women across all levels of implementation. Across the country, more than 400,000 frontline health workers — nearly 60 percent of whom are women — form the backbone of the national effort to reach every child with the life-saving polio vaccine. Their courage, trust, and determination remain central to Pakistan’s success in the fight to end polio.
“For me, the fight against polio is not only about protecting children’s health — it’s about equity, opportunity, and empowerment,” said Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq. “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.”
Senator Ayesha’s recognition by GPEI underscores the essential link between gender equality and improved health outcomes, as well as Pakistan’s growing leadership in championing inclusive approaches to global health. As Gender Champion, she has reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for women’s leadership in health, amplifying the voices and stories of female frontline workers, and ensuring that gender integration and accountability remain central to the programme’s work.
The appointment builds on GPEI’s Gender Equality Strategy, launched in 2019, which aims to address gender-related barriers to immunization, ensure women’s representation at all levels, and advance gender equality as a cornerstone of health equity. Senator Ayesha’s role as Pakistan’s first Gender Champion reflects both the nation’s leadership in the global fight to eradicate polio and its deep commitment to a more equitable and inclusive future for every child.
