Civil society, activists give their vote of trust

Move to call women’s ministry devolution ‘anti-women’ rejected.

ISLAMABAD:

Various civil society organisations extended thir full support to the devolution of Ministry for Women Development (MoWD) and expressed their concern over some organisations terming the move “anti-women”.

National Implementation Watch Committee (NIWC) agreed with the formation of a unified body on a federal level to oversee any violations by the provinces and to monitor international commitments.

These views were expressed by civil society representatives, experts and human/gender right activists at a press conference on Saturday held at Mehrgarh office.

On the occasion, Mehrgarh, Pattan Development Organisation, PODA, AASHA, Bedari, Women Councillors Network and activists including Farzana Bari, Fouzia Saeed and others jointly issued a statement  which said,” We, the members of civil society organization, gender rights activists and experts noted with concern that Aurat Foundation criticized the post-18th amendment devolution program and termed the devolution of Ministry for Women’s Development as anti-women and unjust. We strongly condemn this.”

“While we appreciate the efforts made over decades by the MoWD, it is important not to overstate its contribution to promote women’s rights. Women rights activists have been publicly expressing their frustration over the inability of the MoDW to play its role as a watch dog.”

Speaking on the occasion Dr Fouzia Saeed, Chairperson of Mehergarh, said devolution of MoWD was not “an issue” but calling it “unconstitutional and anti-women forced us to gather and raise our voice”.



Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2011.