Role of MPs in raising voice for women rights lauded

Islamabad: Women Parliamentarians from all across the country gathered in Islamabad to ‘Reflect on the Legislative, Representative and Oversight Role of Women Parliamentarians’ during the previous tenure at a National Convention organised by Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) on Wednesday.

Women Parliamentarians from national and provincial assemblies and the Senate acknowledged the role played by women parliamentarians for enhancing the visibility of women and raising voice for them at policy making level. They recommended to further strengthening the networking of women in the Parliament and taking the political agenda outside the policy making level.

They urged the women parliamentarians to devise a mechanism of following up the cases of violence against vulnerable sections of the society especially women and set new goals and agendas for the parliament.

Organised with the support of Australian government and Trocaire, the conference was attended by a large number of parliamentarians besides representatives of academia, civil society, government officials and rights activists.

In her welcome remarks, General Secretary Shaista Pervaiz Malik said that the purpose of the conference is to develop a strategic direction for the future women parliamentarians and members of the next WPC to work more tactically, effectively and substantively an inclusive, democratic, sensitised and informed parliament.

She urged all the women in politics and the aspiring women leaders to stay focused, strong, and upright in their struggle to create bench marks from this forum and assured that the Convention Report will serve as a strategic direction for the future members of the WPC across the country.

As chief guest, Federal Minister for Human Rights Mumtaz Ahmad Tarar appreciated the role of women parliamentarians in the 13th National Assembly (2013 to 2018). He said that through their multi-pronged endeavours they have demonstrated that their presence in the House had a purpose.

Australian High Commissioner Margrate Thompson and Country Head Trocaire John O’ Brien talked about the contributions of Australian government and Traocaire in supporting all women related initiatives of the government. They said that it was encouraging to observe that women Parliamentarians are increasingly influencing policy and legislative businesses.

As a founder member, Nafisa Shah admitted that WPC helped in enhancing the visibility and participation of women but she stressed for taking this effort to the next level. She recommended widening the scope of this alliance by including other stakeholders.