Women Councillors Network launches manifesto

Islamabad

Taking oath by office-bearers of Women Councillors Network (WCN) -ICT chapter - in a ceremony here the other day also marked the launching of WCN manifesto.

The manifesto was developed collectively by all the women councillors. It calls on political parties to formulate their manifestos in line with public policy on gender, and the SDGs and other international commitments. 

The manifesto particularly pushes for the abolishment of indirect mode of election to fill quota seats of women and advocates for its replacement. It seeks parties to issue at least 25% tickets to female candidates in general elections and 33% in local elections. It also contains proposals for representation within the local government, judiciary and the private sector. It pushes for reforms towards improved education, health, inheritance laws, social protection, and protection against domestic violence for women.

Tayyaba Ibrahim (vice president), Saba Afzal (vice president), Abida Rasheed (general secretary), Sofia Yasmeen (JS), Seema Durrani (information secretary) and Seemi Ezdi (treasurer) were elected on their respective posts in March this year.  Famous classical dance maestro Indu Mitha and Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khatak, PTI MNA, administered the oath.

Members of WCN executive council were elected from different parties, making the network non-partisan and allowing women to organise for the promotion of a gender sensitive agenda across party lines.

Pattan Development Organisation had been facilitating women councillors across the country since 2002 and the ICT chapter was established after the introduction of local government system in the city.

The office holders in their speeches vowed to uphold and defend the WCN mission of empowering women politically through conscientiousness, social mobilisation and participation in decision-making processes and structures.  They also pledged to influence their respective political parties to incorporate the WCN manifesto in their party manifestos.

According to the manifesto, a huge gap exists between Pakistan’s public policy on gender and manifestoes of political parties.”

Commenting on the network, Ali Nawaz Awan, opposition leader in Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad said this was a huge success. He also lauded the contribution of Pattan in formation of WCN-ICT.

Ome Kulsoom, president of national of WCN, said that we would fully support the manifesto. Tayyaba said 12 million women were missing from the electoral rolls and the WCN would bridge this gap through door to door campaign.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarwar Bari, National Coordinator of Pattan said that the formation of the network is a unique experience in a number of ways. Congratulating the elected office-bearers, Mr Bari said that the experience of this network is a story of courage, commitment and collective will. Their proven ability to push institutional boundaries to create space for women’s agenda is a matter of great learning.