Pakistan and several other countries on Thursday condemned Israel’s “dastardly attack” on the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) after its forces intercepted the flotilla heading to break Israel’s siege of Gaza and deliver aid. Israeli forces began intercepting the flotilla’s latest bid to reach Gaza late last night, the fleet said. Israel has so far intercepted 39 boats with foreign activists on board to Gaza, leaving only one vessel still sailing towards the Palestinian enclave, the flotilla organisers said today. The 45-vessel flotilla, with activists and politicians including Greta Thunberg on board, left Spain last month to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of famine. Former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was also on board. Hours after Tel Aviv’s move drew global condemnation, Israeli foreign ministry posted on X that all on board the flotilla were safe would be “deported to Europe”...
Pakistan recently honored its female polio workers in a special ceremony held in Islamabad ahead of International Women's Day. These dedicated women constitute over 58.4% of the country's polio workforce and serve as the backbone of Pakistan's polio eradication efforts. They lead crucial door-to-door vaccination campaigns, often operating in challenging and high-risk environments to ensure every child receives life-saving protection against polio.
During the ceremony, Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio, reaffirmed the government's commitment to creating a safe and enabling environment for female frontline workers. She highlighted the implementation of an anti-harassment policy designed to ensure these women can perform their vital work in a secure and professional setting. This recognition comes as Pakistan continues its determined fight against polio, having reported six cases so far in 2025.
The event brought together national and provincial coordinators of the polio program, along with senior officials, to celebrate the contributions of these women. It featured powerful video messages from frontline female workers who shared their experiences, including the challenges they face in convincing hesitant families to vaccinate their children. Despite these obstacles, they expressed profound pride in their role working toward a polio-free future for Pakistan.
Anwarul Haq, the top official at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), praised these women for their unwavering commitment, describing them as the true backbone of Pakistan's polio eradication campaign. He emphasized that empowering women in public health roles isn't merely about acknowledging their contributions—it's essential for strengthening communities and ensuring a healthier Pakistan. Haq also stressed the importance of gender sensitivity in public health initiatives.
The recognition of female polio workers reflects a broader understanding that supporting women in frontline health roles contributes to building a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous society. Many of these women navigate difficult circumstances daily, demonstrating remarkable courage and dedication in their mission to protect children from a preventable disease. Their work represents not just professional duty but a profound commitment to public health and the future of their nation.
With Pakistan having just concluded its first nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2025 and additional vaccination rounds planned for April and May, these female health workers will continue to play a crucial role in the country's ongoing efforts to eradicate polio completely. Their dedication serves as a powerful reminder of how women's participation in public health initiatives creates lasting positive change in communities across Pakistan.
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