26 January 2004	Monday	03 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25: National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) should be equipped with support staff, a full-time chairperson, secretary and an independent secretariat at federal and provincial levels.

This was stated in the annual report of the NCSW launched on January 22. It was realized by the members of the commission during the last couple of years that a fully functional commission could not be dependent on part-time volunteers. At present, its members are nominated by the provincial, AJK and federal governments who work on voluntarily basis.

Another area of concern for the commission was its limited autonomy with regard to financial powers. At times it had to wait for weeks for approval of certain expenditures, the report said.

It said in 2002 the ministry of women development formed a committee to review and assess constraints and amendments to the ordinance. But, concrete action has yet not been taken on these recommendations.

Therefore, as a proactive measure, the commission itself held internal debates and recommended amendments to the NCSW's original ordinance, which when approved, would provide it appropriate autonomy and powers. The commission is ready to present its recommendations to the president of Pakistan in this regard.

The members have stressed on a stringent and consultative selection process for future appointments in the commission, the report said. To maintain continuity and institutional strength, it has been suggested that the commission bring onboard full-time members with longer tenure.

The commission is also in a process of organizing high-level international conference on Islamic laws that will address controversial issues relating to women in global perspective.

Islamic scholars and experts of international repute will be invited to attend the conference, where the NCSW will present the findings of the Hudood committee and share its recommendations.

The commission continues to face challenges that are common to most newly-formed institutions, where the organization has to balance its commitments on many fronts, both internal and external.

It has added value to several processes i.e women's political participation, their public-sector employment, women and media and issues of violence against women. However, much still needs to be done.