National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) with support of Aurat Foundation and USAID under the Gender Equity Programme (GEP, organized a ceremony to highlight the research studies conducted by the Commission.
The studies were titled; "Appraisal of the Capacities of Women Development Departments (WDDs) at provincial level", "Shelter/Crisis Centres & Gender Crime Cell", "Assessment of Disaster Management Institutions and Development of a Gender Responsive Preparedness Plan", and "Reporting, Investigation Safety and Security of the Victims from the Police Perspective".
Provincial Minister for Women Development Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto, on this occasion said that the government is aware of the problems faced by Pakistani women and is working for their socio-economic uplift. She said that the Ministry of Women Development is working to proactively take up initiatives for women's empowerment in the province and is contributing towards the provincial and federal governments' resolve for women development.
She said that this is a challenging and up-hill task but the government is committed to work towards the protection, advancement, development and empowerment of women to ensure gender equality. She said that we are currently focusing on several key areas including social protection, policy & legislation initiatives, institutional and administrative reforms, capacity building for economic self-reliance.
The minister appreciated the co-operation and help provided by USAID towards the interventions and initiatives launched by Gender Equity Programme. She said that this is a good omen that parliamentarians are being taken on board and are being consulted and collaborated to promote the GEP initiatives for socio-economic development of women in the country.
Anis Haroon, Chairperson, NCSW, gave an introduction of the NCSW from its establishment in July 2000 as a statutory body. She said that NCSW is authorized to make recommendations to amend, abolish or repeal such laws, policies and customary practices, which undermine and deny the fundamental rights and dignified status to women and minorities in Pakistan.
She deliberated upon the role of NCSW, especially after the introduction of 18th Amendment to the Constitution. Anees also highlighted that the 18th Constitutional Amendment has empowered provinces and has made the provinces in charge to take care of their own issues.
The Women's National Machinery would be very keen to work with provincial governance structures, enable them to address women's social, economic, political and legal issues. The independent and autonomous commission will function as an effective body to protect and promote the social, economic, political and legal rights of women.
Seemi Kamal, Chief of Party, GEP, gave a brief account of the GEP saying " GEP is a USAID supported programme of Aurat Foundation focussing on reducing gender based violence, improving access of women to justice, empowerment at home, the workplace and public spaces, as well as building capacities of institutions for Gender Empowerment.
GEP works with critical Pakistani govt organisation on a co-operative basis in support of the gender policies", she added. Ms Seemi Kamal also gave an overview of the research programme of NCSW which is being financed by USAID under Gender Equity Programme of Aurat Foundation and highlighted the importance and need for carrying out the studies.
On the occasion, former Justice Majida Rizvi said that these research studies would provide a basis to address these problems and to work towards their resolution for the uplift of women.
"We need to change the mind sets of the people in society in order to bring forward any positive change. There is dire need to implement the laws made for the protection of the women", she said. Ghaza Gola, Minister for women development, government of Balochistan, was also present along with civil society representatives, INGOs, NGOS, researchers and students. The ceremony concluded with closing remarks and vote of thanks by Ghazanfar Hashmi, Head of Research NCSW.
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