Former education adviser of GB attends NCSW meeting
ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani while assuring continued legislative, political and economic support to the National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) on Thursday hoped the Commission would effectively resolve issues concerning women population as envisioned by our great leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed towards their empowerment. He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of the Commission, which called on him here at the PM House on Thursday.
The Prime Minister lauded the role of the Women Commission in highlighting issues concerning women and also appreciated their active role in the formulation and passage of “Protection against harassment of the Women at work place” Bill recently passed by the Parliament.
The Prime Minister noted with satisfaction that the members of the Commission were a blend of seasoned and experienced women who have worked for the women’s rights and represent all parts of the country including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
He called upon the Women Commission to establish regular interaction with various human rights organizations in order to seek their inputs.
Assuring provision of requisite funds as well as enhancement of the budget, he asked the Commission to establish provincial offices to broaden their outreach in addressing the problems of the women.
The Prime Minister said that the Women represent 51% of the population and can play a leading role not only for women welfare but also for the overall development of the country.
He said that women share equal rights and cannot be discriminated on the basis of gender. Their contribution in developing the family which is the basic unit of a society is acknowledged by all, he added.
The Prime Minister said the Commission should also focus on women economic empowerment enabling them to make positive contribution in national affairs.
The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for his support in making the Commission autonomous.
The Chairperson of the Commission requested the Prime Minister to grace the International Conference on Women in Islamabad on 8th March on the International Women Day which the Prime Minister accepted.
The members of the Commission apprised the Prime Minister about the continuous struggle of various women organizations against the trend of extremism specifically those which negatively impact the women rights.
The Commission requested the Prime Minister for necessary action to expedite the cases regarding violence against women which are being delayed at investigation stage.
They apprised the Prime Minister that the Commission has initiated a major research work on various issues of concerns to the women population.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Commission, Mrs. Anis Haroon apprised the Prime Minister on the composition of the Women Commission and introduced the members.
She mentioned that the Commission is a statutory body and has an independent status. The Commission, she said, has been formed to study, deliberate and make recommendations in a democratic manner, real issues regarding majority of women population. The Commission, she added, also intends to bring out a news letter based on the research being conducted.
The meeting was attended by Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on social sectors.
The members of the delegation included Mrs. Anis Haroon, Mrs. Fauzia Saeed, Mrs. Nasreen Azhar, Mrs. Rasheeda Anwar, Mrs. Bushra Ali, Mrs. Misbah Momin and Mrs. Romana Tanvir and Mrs. Noor Ul Ain former Advisor Education GB.
Source: http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96180&Itemid=2
