Islamabad, 18th of July 2023:“Women’s Parliamentary Caucus’s first-ever initiative in Pakistan’s 75-year history taken to invite the political parties and experts from all fields to critically outline their vision and framework to improve the lives of women in Pakistan”
“Inclusion of women in the electoral system should not only be limited to voting but should be backed by the political parties to contest general elections on the basis of their merit.” Secretary Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Honorable Dr. Shahida Rehmani.
Sultana Siddiqui stated “Culture and media are complementary to each other. She said women’s representation must be ensured in all the institutions of Pakistan.”
Islamabad, Pakistan: The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) organized the Roundtable of Political Parties on Women Manifestos two-day event, titled “All Party Women Manifesto”, which is facilitated by UN Women. The event will mark the first-ever initiative in Pakistan’s 75-year history taken by political parties to critically outline their vision and framework to improve the lives of women in Pakistan. The inaugural session was chaired by Secretary WPC Dr. Shahida Rehmani followed by a series of breakout sessions in the presence of respective experts to discuss the themes of enhancing women’s role in Politics, Law, Commerce, Education, IT, Climate Change and Health Hon. Secretary WPC Dr. Shahida Rehmani stated that the women of Pakistan have played a key role in the political struggle of Pakistan. Women have carved their own paths in every field by proving their mettle. Further, she added that the role of women politicians is not limited only to reserved seats, but women like Fatima Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, and others have led the democratic struggle against dictatorships.
In recognition of the problems plaguing underrepresented women of Pakistan today, this Women Manifesto is centered around essential thematic areas that seek to address key obstacles to female development and pave the way for a future course of action.
In addition to this Secretary WPC, stressed that the inclusion of women in the electoral system should not only be limited to voting but should be backed by the political parties to contest general elections on the basis of their merit.
To carve out a strategic plan to promote women’s political participation and ensure that the voices of women across Pakistan are heard and represented. Panelist Sultana Siddiqui in her remarks said that culture and media are complementary to each other. She said women’s representation must be ensured in all the institutions of Pakistan.
Panelist Hina Jillani during the session remarked that creating a safe and supportive environment is crucial for women’s economic participation. #GenderEquality is essential for overall development and progress of every society.
Furthermore, it was stated that the Government, policy makers, legal experts and civil society need to collectively devise effective strategies to protect and promote women rights.
This two-day Women Manifestos event, titled “All Party Women Manifesto” seminar aims to serve as a forum for women to discuss the challenges faced after the pandemic and formulate a strategic roadmap and way forward regarding inclusive policies that are pivotal to empowering women and garnering gender equality. With a renewed commitment and focus, the WPC is aiming to provide a platform to political parties to facilitate discourse amongst political leaders with an aim to engender inclusivity in their political parties’ manifestos ahead of the General Elections of Pakistan.
