Pakistan, March 4 -- The recent election of Maryam Nawaz as the first female Chief Minister in Pakistan's history is a moment of pride and hope, not just for Pakistanis, but for advocates for gender equality around the world.

While residing in the US, I have witnessed firsthand the ongoing struggle for women's empowerment. March, being Women's History Month in the US, serves as a potent reminder of the progress made by American women - from gaining the right to vote in 1920 to holding prominent positions in various fields and elected and appointed governmental offices since then.

The passage of the Equal Pay Act in 1963, the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, and the recent MeToo movement are testaments to this progress. However, the fight f...