Women Manifesto 2013: Blue Veins releases policy statement to increase women’s participation in polls

Needs of women across KP, FATA highlighted to include in political agenda.

PESHAWAR: In an effort to bring women’s issues in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) on the agenda of political parties, a ‘Women Manifesto 2013’ has been launched by the non-governmental organisation, Blue Veins.

The organisation, dedicated to advocating health issues faced by women in K-P and the tribal belt, conducted weeklong group discussions and finalised a manifesto on the needs of women, minorities and people with special needs.



Blue Veins Programme Coordinator Qamar Naseem said the aim of the group discussions was to educate, organise and mobilise women to bring their issues to the forefront.

Resolving the issues faced by women, as highlighted in our manifesto, will increase women’s participation in elections, added Naseem.

The manifesto urged making laws to protect women from sexual violence, cultural exploitation, pornography as well as stereotyping by news organisations.

Some of the recommendations in the 66-point manifesto include:

1.     The government must facilitate and help all women obtain an identity card and register as a voter so that women above the age of 18 can take part in the electoral process.

2.     Shelter homes, crisis centers and rape crisis centers should be established to offer legal and medical assistance, counseling and psycho-social support to women.

3.     Education of women with disabilities should be made free in all government institutions, including universities and professional colleges.

4.     Non-Muslim women should be given rights that prevent social discrimination against them.

5.     Women wings of political parties should be strengthened so they have the capacity to raise issues pertaining to women.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2013.