July 24, 2002	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13,1423

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ISLAMABAD, July 23: The provincial steering committees, constituted by the federal government, have failed to respond to the proposal given by the National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) for the five per cent quota for women in public sector organizations, sources told this reporter.

The committees, comprising; additional secretaries, secretaries services, secretaries women development, director women development, chairmen public service commissions and the NCSW provincial members were asked to give their recommendations on the five per cent service quota for women in the public sector.

The four committees were given July 15, 2002 as deadline to complete their consultation process in collaboration with the departments concerned and reach a decision on the NCSW proposal.

Earlier this year, the NCSW with the financial assistance from Asian Development Bank conducted a study entitled: “Status of Women Employment in Public Sector Organizations” throughout the country.

According to the study, one of the obstacles in implementing the policy, was determining, whether the quota should be applied in all the sanctioned posts or in a particular wing of the department.

The study added that there had been a total lack of interest on the part of those responsible for implementing, to give effect to the policy.

Finally, after extensive consultation the NCSW suggested that a five per cent service quota should be declared a must for women in all public sector organizations of the country.

Thereafter, the NCSW constituted provincial steering committees to look into the issue and to elicit public opinion in regard to the issue.

According to the plan, the reports received from the four committees would be presented before the national steering committee.

The committee would be chaired by the minister for women development, social welfare and special education with chairperson, NCSW; secretary, establishment; secretary, women development; chairman, public service commission; chairman, public PCSs; provincial services secretaries; members from NCSW (one from each province); secretary planning division and provincial additional secretaries as members.

And if, approved by the national steering committee, the NCSW would present the agreed recommendations to the government for approval and strengthening of the monitoring mechanism to oversee the implementation of the policy.