More representation: NA panel seeks more seats for women in democratic set-up

Recommends a minimum allocation of 10% general seats for female representatives

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs unanimously adopted a bill proposing more representation for women in the country’s political system.

Introduced by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmakers, Dr Nafisa Shah and Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, the bill is aimed at ensuring meaningful representation for women in the political process.

It proposes a minimum allocation of 10 per cent general seats for women and a 33 per cent quota of women in general councils.

The committee headed by Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz lawmaker Mian Abdul Manan convinced other members that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA was pursuing the bill rigorously and they should not oppose the idea to enhance women representation in the decision-making process.

“Once the bill gets approval from parliament, I will introduce further amendments in the bill regarding the representation of women,” Shah said while speaking to The Express Tribune.

“The bill seeks to protect and strengthen women’s representation in the political and legislative process,” she added.

“Representation of women in the present parliament is less than the previous set up,” the PPP lawmaker said, citing her reason for introducing a bill which could ensure women’s meaningful representation in the democratic set-up.

In her bill, Shah proposed that every political party should select a minimum of 10 per cent women candidates for elective officers for general seats.

“Every political party should have a minimum of 33 per cent quota for women in the party’s elected general council and in any associated party committee and forum at the federal, provincial and local levels of the party, wherever applicable, and to whatever names these may be referred to,” the bill proposed an amendment in the Article 10 of the Constitution.

Shah said that the performance of the women parliamentarians was satisfactory and they proved themselves active, intelligent and relevant in the process of legislation and other parliamentary debates.

The bill seeks attainment of non-discriminatory opportunities for women in the public sphere as per the National Policy for the Development and Empowerment of Women 2002 and the Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2014.