Islamabad: Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized that parliamentary forums, comprising representatives from all political parties are fundamentally established to advance public welfare and formulate legislation for the betterment of marginalized segments of society including children, women, and youth. He stressed that the goal of these forums transcends the mere convening of donor-driven meetings. Their paramount objective is to craft substantive legislation that addresses the needs of marginalized communities, firmly rooted in the prevailing socio-economic realities.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq further underscored that the National Assembly of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) is adequately equipped with the necessary human resources to support and enhance the efficiency of parliamentary forums. He advocated for the imperative transformation of these forums into more purposeful and effective bodies, dedicated to fulfilling their legislative mandates with integrity and impact.These remarks were delivered by the Speaker while presiding over the National Women's Convention, organized by the Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), under the leadership of its Convener/MNA Dr.Shahida Rehmani at the Parliament House in Islamabad.
Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq commended the contributions of women parliamentarians in the legislative proceedings of the House. He lauded their pivotal role across all socio-economic sectors in Pakistan, acknowledging their significant contributions to the nation's development. He further stated, "Women working in the National Assembly are permitted to leave before evening to maintain a balance between their professional responsibilities and family life." He also stressed on the need to support women in every socio-economic sector of the country.
Secretary WPC and MNA Dr. Shahida Rehmani highlighted the legislative achievements spearheaded by women parliamentarians, notably the "Protection Against Harassment at the Workplace Act," which showcased exemplary cross-party collaboration. She also advocated for mandatory measures during general elections to ensure a minimum 10% participation of women voters.
Deputy Speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Suriya Bibi, emphasized the importance of cross-party collaborations and the effective utilization of Women Parliamentary Caucuses. She detailed the legislative accomplishments of WPC KP, including the passage of the Child Protection Bill, the Protection Against Harassment of Women Bill, and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Bill. She also underscored the province's initiatives to empower youth, such as the establishment of KP's first-ever Children's Parliament and the formation of the Young Parliamentarians Forum, aimed at empowering young members of the KP Assembly. Furthermore, efforts to increase women voter participation in peripheral regions were highlighted.
Deputy Speaker of Balochistan Assembly , Ghazala Gola, showcased the achievements of women members in the Balochistan Assembly, including the establishment of Anti-Harassment Cells, the formation of the Provincial Commission on the Status of Women, and the passage of the Balochistan Protection of Women Against Harassment at the Workplace Act. She emphasized the importance of sharing experiences and collaboratively addressing challenges faced by women at federal, provincial, regional, and local levels to ensure a comprehensive trickle-down effect of women's empowerment.
Member of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, Ms. Kalsoom Farman, highlighted the legislative contributions of women in the GB Assembly, such as the formation of the Commission on the Status of Women, promotion of child rights, enforcement of inheritance laws to prevent exploitation, and initiatives to curb suicide rates in the region. She also informed the convention about plans for comprehensive stakeholder meetings aimed at enhancing the socio-economic and political status of women in Gilgit-Baltistan.
MPA and Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh, Ms. Tanzila Ume Habiba, shared details of two unanimous resolutions passed by members of all political parties in the Sindh Assembly. These resolutions recognized and honored the socio-political struggles of women leaders in Pakistan, including Former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and First Lady of Pakistan Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, among others, irrespective of political affiliations. She stressed the need for a unified approach to legislate and promote women's empowerment across federal, provincial, and local levels.
MPA Punjab, Ms. Ishrat Ashraf, emphasized the urgent need to collectively dismantle social stigmas and barriers that hinder women's access to justice through law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. She advocated for societal reforms to enable women to seek justice without fear of judgment from family or society. Additionally, she highlighted the necessity of ensuring the social and physical security of women, enabling them to engage in employment opportunities with confidence and peace of mind.
MNA/Treasurer WPC Ms. Shahida Begum expressed her gratitude to the provincial caucuses for fulfilling their commitment to establishing and operationalizing women's parliamentary caucuses in the provincial and legislative assemblies. She also highlighted the importance of addressing social and women's issues from an Islamic perspective, advocating for solutions that align with both cultural values and progressive policies to ensure the empowerment and protection of women.
National Women's Convention concluded with active participation from Parliamentarians, Members of the Provincial Assemblies and Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, who spoke passionately about the critical issues impacting women They addressed the need to eradicate child marriages, highlighting the devastating effect this practice has on young girls' futures and advocating for stronger policies to protect them. Domestic violence was another key issue discussed, with parliamentarians emphasizing the importance of strengthening legal frameworks and support systems to ensure the safety and well-was of women.
The parliamentarians also focused on the economic emancipation of women, calling for measures to close the gender pay gap and expanding opportunities for women in leadership roles across various sectors. The need for increasing the party ticket quota of women from 5% and provision of financial support for women leaders during general elections by their respective parties were prominent topics. Additionally, the discussions covered both internal and external threats to women's empowerment, from systemic discrimination to global conflicts that disproportionately affect women.