Pak women MPs form caucus to protect women rights

Islamabad, Nov 22 : Pakistani women parliamentarians' have formed a caucus with the objective of safeguarding women's rights and promoting women empowerment.

Women members of the National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution regarding this.

Spelling out the objectives of the "Women Parliamentarians' Caucus," National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza said the caucus was constituted with an aim of attaining a broad-based consensus among women members of parliament on an agreed agenda for women development, their empowerment and emancipation.

Dr Mirza, who chaired a meeting of the women parliamentarians, said the caucus would enhance the role of women parliamentarians in proposing gender sensitive legislation, reviewing and amending of discriminatory laws and practices.

"The caucus will ensure effective parliamentary oversight for implementation of international and regional commitments, national policies and programmes," she said.

She said the caucus would facilitate an exchange of views and information sharing on critical areas of concern, particularly social discriminatory practices at different levels, both national and international.

The caucus will establish liaison and build working relationship with key states and civil society institutions and organisations in order to contribute towards national and international efforts for promotion of women empowerment, rights and gender equality, she said.

She said the caucus would review rules and procedures in order to ensure women's continued access to and participation in the National Assembly, besides providing a forum to jointly work for the achievement of social indicators so that the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) come within reach.

ANI