He was addressing a gathering of women comprising professionals, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, academicians, artistes and students at a ceremony held here to mark the International Women's Day. The capital's Convention Centre, jam-packed with enthusiast women from all walks of life, appeared coherent with the ceremony's theme of having 'passion to spread wings to reach the sky heights'. Gilani stressed renewed political commitment to implement pro-women reforms and said Pakistan joined the world community in celebrating the day in recognition of great achievements made by its talented women. Terming women and minorities as his constituencies, Gilani said his presence at the occasion was a demonstration of his government's unwavering commitment for women empowerment. He deplored victimizing women under social customs and said it was a crime against humanity to confine women within the four walls of houses as prisoners. He called for raising the status of women according to Islamic ideals and standards, and taking them along as comrades in every sphere of life. Gilani referred to the Quaid-e-Azam's speech at a meeting at the Muslim University Aligarh on March 10, 1944, where he stated that "no nation can rise to the height of glory, unless women are side by side with you." He said the democratically elected government had always been pro-actively pursuing the agenda of women empowerment. He pointed that during last four years, historic decisions were taken in political, administrative, economic and legislative fields to empower women. He said the journey for women's development starts with Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto who became the first ever democratically elected Prime Minister in the entire Muslim World. He said Mohtrama was a powerful symbol of women's empowerment who made relentless efforts for their uplift and did not allow any obstacle to stand in her way of realizing the dream of women empowerment. Gilani recalled Mohtarma Bhutto as saying that "We, the women, have nothing to fear but fear itself." The Prime Minister said she sacrificed her life for the sake of the downtrodden sections of society and emerged as a great role model and an icon for women. He said in line with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto, the present parliament had undertaken landmark legislation on many issues which were detrimental to the image and status of women. Gilani mentioned the incidents of acid throwing, forced marriages, marriage with Quran, denial of right to inheritance, and harassment at workplace that had been made an offence in the eyes of law. He said legislative enactments; Women Protection from Harassment at Workplace Act 2010, Amendment in PPC 509, Acid Crime Prevention Act 2011, the Prevention of anti-Women Practices Act 2011 and Fund for Women in Distress and Detention Act 2011, would go a long way in empowering women to take charge of their lives. He termed these measures as reflective of the government's commitment and sincere efforts to address women-related issues to ensure their greater participation in the national mainstream. Gilani saluted the members of parliament across political divide that rose to the occasion and made history through these historic steps. He said the government was proud of enacting this legislation and was also fully cognizant of its responsibility for effective implementation of all these laws. "I am confident that the media, civil society, academia and other leading actors will also play their role in implementing these laws in letter and spirit." He said the Women Development Ministry has been devolved to provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment and pointed that new threats and opportunities have emerged regarding women empowerment and said it has put a greater responsibility on the provincial governments to observe this day in a befitting manner. Gilani mentioned several projects including Benazir Income Support Program as the largest ever programme to provide financial support directly to the women of the poor households. He said the programme for distribution of land to landless Haris, initiated in November, 2008, is another major step. Over 56,000 acres of state land have been distributed among over 6,000 women beneficiaries, he added. He said the government has been making concerted efforts on a continuous basis to redress the grievances of rural women affected by floods. "Despite these heavy odds, Pakistani women possess the resilience to fight off these challenges," he said. Gilani said the present National Commission on the Status of Women, established in year 2000, would be replaced with a new one with enhanced administrative and financial autonomy. He said the presence of Pakistani women can be witnessed both at the national and international levels as women continue to play their due role in different capacities such as ministers, advisors, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, diplomats and military officers. He said 11 missions abroad were currently being headed by women besides presence in the Untied Nations' system. He appreciated the country's first film-maker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy for winning the first ever Oscar Award. Gilani said Pakistan would continue to work under the guidelines by the Convention of the Eliminations all forms of Discrimination Against Women, Beijing Platform for Action and the observations made by the CEDAW Committee on Pakistan's compliance report. He also appreciated the technical and financial support extended by the donors in Pakistan's efforts for planning and programming for women's empowerment.