By Our correspondent
In its special report published in connection with the International Women’s Day to be observed on November 25, the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) has lauded the efforts of Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) in the National Assembly for its role in protection of women rights and their empowerment.
The IPU is the focal point for the parliamentary dialogue and works for fostering cooperation and development among diverse nations before their mutual benefit. In its report, the union appreciated the initiative of Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza, for her sagacious leadership for launching a parliamentary forum.
The report said that this bi-partisan Caucus of Women Parliamentarians have enabled its members to rise above party politics and to jointly work for the social economic uplift of Pakistani women.
The report specifically mentioned the efforts of WPC for focusing on policy formulation and service delivery for women especially for the women survivals of violence and gender bias. It further said that on the advice of WPC, the government of Pakistan is about to initiate measures to ensure medical and legal aid and security assistance to women survivals of the gender based violence.
The IPU also lauded the endeavours of Women Parliamentary Caucus for bringing into limelight, the ordeal of acid and kerosene oil burned victims and their treatment and rehabilitation. The report says that the credit goes to WPC for motivating women parliamentarians who have dedicated their development funds to the construction of Burn Treatment Centres in the under develop and remote areas of the country and campaigning for the economic empowering of women survivors.
The IPU advised the parliamentarians to forge national consensus and build cross party alliances to support action for the cause of women’s empowerment and protection. “The Parliamentarian should also involve other stakeholders, civil society and gross root organisations for formulation of sustainable policies,” the report mentions.