Dr Sadik, who upon appointment as Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (1987-2000) was one of the highest ranking women in the UN system and the first woman, in the history of the UN, to lead one of its major voluntarily­ funded programmes, said she was ‘very pleased’ to see how many young women were participating at the RTI.

“I know how important women’s rights are – how important it is that we advocate for women’s rights. When I was in the UN in 1994, a program for action was developed. The plan came from a Human Rights document. Every individual has a right to reproductive health. The Cairo Conference was a battle, underlying it all was that women could not have control over their reproductive health and rights. It is alright for men and boys, but not women and girls. Today it is not much different,” said Dr Sadik.

As a medical doctor, and former Director-General of the Pakistan Central Family Planning Council, Dr Sadik highlighted that the lack of women’s rights today stems from the lack of women’s reproductive rights. Speaking on the issues of maternal mortality and the many issues of sexual violence such as rape and incest in the Asia and Pacific region, Dr Sadik said education was the way forward. “We need to trust people and give education to them to enable them to protect themselves. HIV is increasing. Things have evolved, but many things remain the same.”

Dr Sadik appealed to YWCAs to take action on human rights violations against women. “ Women need to get their rights and we need to speak out. Young women need to take the baton and run with it. The lesson I have learnt is that you must speak out on injustice on every occasion. Never forget to remind people of incorrect information. Courage is very much needed, issues are difficult to talk about, but you have to find a way, and we must work to ensure that women get all their rights and no more and no less and that men get no more. Equality means women can fully determine their options in their life. That is why you need to speak out on behalf of all women. “

Dr. Sadik holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Dow Medical Collegein Karachi. In 2002, she received the World Citizenship Award from the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

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