Roundtable calls for encouraging women in politics

Session discussed challenges faced by women seeking participation in policy-making

KARACHI:

A roundtable consultative dialogue titled 'Women's Road to Parliament' organised by Karachi German consulate and a marketing company New World Concepts (NWC), was held on Tuesday, featuring women leaders from the corporate and business sector, media, and academia, among others.

Present at the occasion, German Consul General Dr Rudiger Lotz emphasised the importance of significantly increasing the proportion of women in political life to consider the interests of all people, both men and women, in decision-making processes.

The session discussed and explored challenges facing women leaders seeking greater participation in public policy-making, aiming to encourage positive change in difficult times and empower the next generation of women.

A member of the German Parliament and South Asia Parliamentary Group Chair, Renate Kunast, delivered a virtual address and emphasised the need for greater participation of women in all levels of public policy.

She shared examples from Germany and the European Union (EU), highlighting the role of women leaders from diverse sectors in the country's decision-making.

"Women are treated as properties, regardless of their success, and this feeling is perpetuated by their husbands, fathers, and sons," a participant remarked.

She questioned the frequency of legislative actions by women for women in parliament, pointing out that political parties seemingly do not prioritise it.

Anchorperson Sidra Iqbal said that women feel frustrated and thanked social media for providing them space to express their sentiments. She emphasised that women face two choices when considering a decision; whether the matter at hand or what others will think about it.

In Chitral, she mentioned that 57 per cent of voters were women, making them kingmakers. She criticized TV commercials for portraying women as happy tractor drivers while, in reality, women are engaged in both unpaid and paid work.

Another speaker advocated for more female ministers, especially in areas where policymakers need to understand women's vulnerability.

She praised the State Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan First Lady Samina Alvi for initiatives supporting financial inclusion but lamented the lack of ramps and Braille for disabled persons at many banks, emphasising the need for disability inclusion.

Nargis Soorti from the Soorti Foundation highlighted the lack of dedicated toilets for women in public and workspaces.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2024.