Women's Caucus revived in K-P Assembly

Women Commission seeks female inclusion in Khyber 'Aman Jirga'

PESHAWAR:

Women legislators in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) stepped up efforts to strengthen their role in governance and policymaking on Thursday, as two major developments marked a renewed focus on women's empowerment in the province.

The K-P Women's Parliamentary Caucus held its first meeting under the new assembly, while the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW) called for the inclusion of women in the upcoming "Khyber Aman Jirga," terming their participation a constitutional and legal necessity.

The inaugural session of the K-P Women's Parliamentary Caucus convened at the Provincial Assembly's conference room, chaired by Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Caucus, Suraiya Bibi. The meeting brought together women MPAs including Sobia Shahid, Rehana Ismail, Asma Alam, Shazia Tehmas, Aimen Jaleel, Amna Sardar, and Ashbar Jadoon, alongside male legislators and officials from UNFPA and UN Women.

Chairperson Suraiya Bibi emphasized the caucus's revival as a vital step toward advancing women's representation in policymaking and legislative reforms. She praised the caucus's past achievements, particularly its contribution to the passage of landmark laws such as the Protection Against Harassment at Workplace Act, the Child Protection and Welfare Act, and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act.

During the session, the previous executive committee was de-notified, and a schedule for the election of a new committee was issued, paving the way for a fresh leadership to steer the caucus's agenda. Members reaffirmed their collective commitment to making the caucus a stronger platform for gender-responsive governance, protection of women and children, and equitable social reforms.

Participants also discussed proposed amendments to existing laws to safeguard the rights of transgender persons, differently-abled citizens, and women's inheritance and marriage rights. Representatives from UNFPA and UN Women reaffirmed their support for collaborative initiatives aimed at building a more inclusive and just society.

Later, the caucus members, accompanied by UN representatives, met with Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, who serves as the Patron-in-Chief of the caucus, and expressed their intent to strengthen coordination between the legislature and civil society to achieve gender parity in governance.