Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defense Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed has said that no country or society can progress without the full participation of women.He was speaking at a ceremony held at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on the occasion of International Women's Day. he said that Islam was the first religion to give women inheritance rights. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a great champion of women's rights and he got a law passed to give women a share in inheritance. He said that women played a prominent role in the Pakistan independence movement. He paid tribute to the women of Gaza and Kashmir on International Women's Day.

President ICCI, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that the ICCI is committed to empowering women. He said that women in Pakistan are making their mark in every field. If Pakistan has to progress, we need to educate and empower our women. we need to make women business role models. Kenyan High Commissioner Mary Nyambuya said that she pays tribute to women around the world who are doing outstanding work on the occasion of International Women's Day. She thanked the ICCI for holding the ceremony in honor of women. She said that we need to work together to achieve the dream of progress.

Secretary General, United Business Group Zafar Bakhtawari said that women in Pakistan have proven through their abilities that they are in no way inferior to men. He said that he owes his success to his mother. there is a woman's hand behind every successful man and his wife has played the biggest role in his success. He said that the birth of his daughter made his business grow. After the recent elections, women have been given important positions in the federal and provincial governments. we hope that these women will serve Pakistan with dedication and further prove their abilities.

Renowned social activist Rabail Pirzada said that she did not give up despite her disability. She said that her parents played a role in her success. She appealed to all parents to fully support their daughters.

Saira Khattak, Director Institute of Legal Studies, said that her parents had five daughters, which made people look at them with despair. She said that she has proven herself through her hard work and those who used to look at her with despair are now proud of her.

Khudzar Farhadov- wife of Azerbaijan Ambassador, Syeda Zahra Batul Mazhar- Head of Department of Arts and Media Foundation University Islamabad, Adelia Liaquat Ali Khan- Corporate Affairs and Management Director L'Oreal Pakistan, Dr. Anila Kamal- VC Rawalpindi Women University, Dr. Azra Rafique- VC Fatima Jinnah Women University also spoke at the occasion