Ms Khawar Mumtaz was until recently Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (2013-19); and earlier CEO of Shirkat Gah - a women’s rights organization in Pakistan. Her areas of expertise include women and development; political participation; economic empowerment; environment and reproductive rights. She received Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2005 from the President of Pakistan; and in 1989, the Prime Minister’s award for the co-authored book, Women of Pakistan: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back?