Looking ahead: Optimism remains over improvement in women’s socio-economic condition

Establishment of standing committee on women, new bills supporting basic rights urged.

ISLAMABAD:

The onus to further the cause of women’s rights is on the newly elected government.

This was the crux of a discussion by women parliamentarians, civil society members and donors on Tuesday. They had come together at a dinner reception organised by the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) to discuss the current socio-economic state of women in the country.



Addressing the participants, NCSW Chairperson Khawar Mumtaz said that the onus was on the newly elected parliamentarians to establish provincial commissions to deal with women’s issues, which have become more decentralised since the Ministry of Women Development’s (MWD) devolution.

“Without provincial support, we cannot work for women’s development. We need to work in accordance with provincial laws and regulations,” said Mumtaz.



She also expressed great optimism that new bills supporting women’s rights would be passed in parliament.

Senator Syeda Iqbal advised the new government to work on domestic violence legislation, as attempts to address the issue have been rejected by the previous parliament. Bushra Gohar stressed on the need to establish a standing committee on women.

Former speaker of the National Assembly Fehmida Mirza said the formation of a Women’s Parliamentary Caucus had given a voice to the country’s oppressed and marginalised women. She lauded women who came out during the elections to cast their ballots despite facing threats.

“For the first time, I saw how eager women were to contribute to change in the country,” she said.

According to the NSCW’s official website the commission was established as a statutory body in July 2000 under an Ordinance. It comprises a chairperson and 18 members from the four provinces, ICT, FATA, G-B and AJK, a representative of the minority community and three ex-officio members — Law, Interior and Finance secretaries.

Since its formation, the NCSW has functioned under MWD’s wing with inadequate staff and resources, which has placed severe constraints on its ability to deliver.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2013.