News Detail
Event Title: Senator Samina Zehri Calls for Purpose-Driven Leadership at 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
Event Date: 2025-10-20
Senator Samina Zehri, Chairperson of Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, delivered a address at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly during the Forum of Women Parliamentarians' panel discussion on Transforming Leadership: Overcoming New Challenges to Gender Equality.
Speaking to an audience of global lawmakers, Senator Samina Zehri called for a reimagining of leadership: “We must transform leadership from a symbol of privilege into a force of purpose — from dominance into dignity.”
Representing the Senate of Pakistan and her home province of Balochistan, she spoke of the resilience of marginalized communities and the critical role of women in shaping the nation’s future.
“I come from a land often overlooked — yet rich in courage, resilience, and untold strength,” she said. “Every time a woman from Balochistan chairs a committee, drafts a reform, or stands up for justice, she doesn’t just break a barrier — she breaks history.”
Senator Samina Zehri highlighted key legislative efforts under her leadership — including mental health reforms, stronger protections against gender-based violence, and inclusive digital safety laws. “Justice must not only punish,” she said, “it must heal.”
She underscored her commitment to bipartisan collaboration, grassroots advocacy, and institutional reform “We have turned resistance into resilience — by building alliances, advocating for digital dignity, and engaging men as partners in change.”
Reflecting on her work during the devastating 2022 floods in Balochistan, she noted , that experience reminded me that leadership is not about status; it is about service. And service, delivered with compassion and accountability, is the most transformative form of power.”
She also drew attention to her participation at the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, affirming Pakistan’s active role in global human rights dialogues.
She concluded her remarks with a call to action for all women leaders “Let us lead not through power, but through purpose. Not through privilege, but with empathy. And let us build a world where gender no longer defines destiny — but courage does.”
The 151st IPU Assembly continues in Geneva through 23 October 2025, bringing together parliamentarians from around the world to discuss global challenges and democratic priorities.