Chairperson Women Parliamentary Caucus MS Shahida Rehmani and Speaker delved into the adverse health effects of trans fats and highlighted global best practices for their elimination.
This International Women’s Day, CPDI, its partners and WPC have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring women’s right to good health through effective legislative
Islamabad – Imrana Komal
The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), in collaboration with the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Women’s Right to Health: Eliminating Trans Fats for a Healthier Future” at PIPS, Islamabad. This crucial event, organized in line with International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, brought together policymakers, public health experts, civil society representatives, and media professionals to address the pressing issue of industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFAs) and partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in Pakistan’s food supply and their disproportionate impact on women’s health.
The event commenced with remarks from Dr. Shahida Rehmani, Secretary of WPC, and Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of CPDI, who underscored the need for immediate legislative and policy interventions to ban PHOs and regulate iTFA levels in Pakistan’s food supply.
The speakers delved into the adverse health effects of trans fats and highlighted global best practices for their elimination. It was emphasized that reducing iTFAs is not just a public health imperative but also a matter of social justice and gender equality. iTFAs disproportionately affect women’s health and exacerbate the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as well as complications during pregnancy. It was pointed out that the cost of trans-fat intake due to premature mortality from CVD in Pakistan is estimated to be USD 459 million per annum.
It is important to note that civil society organizations such as CPDI, Pakistan National Association of Heart (PANAH), Heartfile and Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA) are collaborating with government ministries, regulatory bodies, and UN agencies (WHO, UNICEF) to advance policies aimed at eliminating industrially produced trans fatty acids from the food supply chain and a complete ban on PHO. A high-level panel discussion titled “Women’s Health and Legislative Action” followed which was moderated by Dr. Saba Amjad, CEO of Heartfile. Distinguished panelists included Syed Hussain Tariq, Chairman, Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, Ms. Shahida Akhtar Ali, MNA, Treasury Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), Rana Ansar, Member National Assembly, Parliamentary secretary water resources, Samina Khalid Ghurki, MNA, Ms. Asiya Nasir, former MNA, Surya Asghar former MNA, Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur MNA, Syed Abrar Ail Shah MNA and Dr. Shazia Sobia Somroo, MNA.
The discussion centered on the critical need for legislative reforms, industry regulation, and public awareness campaigns to eliminate PHOs from the food supply chain. Panelists emphasized the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration—including government ministries, civil society, regulatory bodies, and public health organizations—to effectively implement policies that reduce iTFA consumption.
In his address, Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ali. Executive Director of CPDI, reaffirmed CPDI’s commitment to advocating for stringent regulatory measures, enhanced food labeling requirements, public education initiatives to combat the health risks associated with iTFAs, and a legislative ban on PHOs. He urged policymakers to take swift action to protect women’s health and well-being through evidence-based policy solutions.
Syed Hussain Tariq Jamote, Chairman of the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, lauded the efforts of the WPC, CPDI and other partners in bringing attention to the crucial issue of women’s health and nutrition. He emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue and policy engagement to address these pressing challenges. He committed in raising the issue within his Standing Committee and urged CPDI and its partners to strengthen their collaboration with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. He also encouraged enhanced coordination with the Ministry of Law and Justice to develop draft legislation that prioritizes the issue of trans fats and PHO Ban in the country.
The Chief Guest Dr. Shahida Rehmani commended CPDI, WPC, and PIPS for their efforts in highlighting this critical issue and encouraged continued dialogue and policy engagement on women’s health and nutrition.
As a key outcome of this dialogue, CPDI, WPC, and partner organizations will work towards drafting a policy brief outlining specific recommendations for the government to enforce a complete legislative ban on PHOs, strict enforcement of iTFA regulations in the food supply chain, develop and implement national standards for healthier food alternatives, launch public awareness campaigns to educate women and families on healthier dietary choices, encourage research and data collection on gender-specific health impacts of iTFAs and a complete ban on PHO in the country.
This International Women’s Day, CPDI, its partners and WPC have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring women’s right to good health through effective legislative.