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Chairperson of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, represented Pakistan with strength and conviction at the Forum of Women Parliamentarians during the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly held in Geneva. She spoke at the panel discussion on the theme Transforming Leadership: Overcoming New Challenges to Gender Equality. Addressing legislators from around the world, Senator Samina Zehri emphasized the need to redefine the concept of leadership. She said that leadership should not be seen as a symbol of power and privilege but as a force for service and purpose. “We must move from dominance to dignity,” she added. Representing Pakistan, the Senate, and her province of Balochistan, she highlighted the role of women in empowering marginalized communities and building the nation. She said it was an honor for her to address the panel discussion of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians at the 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. Speaking on the topic Transformative Leadership: Building a More Balanced World within One’s Sphere of Power, Senator Zehri shed light on Pakistan’s progress in advancing women’s rights through legislation, parliamentary oversight, and advocacy. As Chairperson of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, and as a woman representing Balochistan, she expressed her firm belief that true leadership is about service — and that service is the most powerful form of transformation. Senator Samina Zehri proudly said, “I come from a land that has often been overlooked, yet it is a land of courage, resilience, and immense strength. Whenever a woman in Balochistan chairs a committee, drafts a reform bill, or raises her voice for justice, she does not just remove a barrier — she makes history.” She also spoke about her leadership in key human rights legislation, including reforms related to mental health, stronger laws against gender-based violence, and comprehensive digital safety measures. She stressed that the purpose of justice should not be merely to punish, but to uphold humanity and compassion. Reaffirming her commitment to bipartisan cooperation, public awareness, and institutional reform, she said, “We have turned opposition into strength by uniting for dignity and raising our collective voice.” Referring to her work during the 2022 floods in Balochistan, she said the experience reminded her that leadership is not about power but about service — and when service is driven by empathy, it becomes the truest form of strength. Highlighting Pakistan’s active role at the global level, she also mentioned her participation in the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, noting that Pakistan continues to play a constructive part in international human rights dialogues. Concluding her speech, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri addressed women leaders from across the world: “Let us lead not through power but through purpose, not with privilege but with compassion. And let us build a world where destiny is defined not by gender, but by courage.”