ISLAMABAD, April 16: Sector-wise networking of civil society organizations within themselves can highlight the issues which the governments ignore or don't prioritise in their routine businesses. This was stated by the Chairperson of National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), Justice (retired) Majida Rizvi here on Friday.

She was speaking as chief guest at the concluding ceremony of the two-day "Partners Networking Conference" organised by the British Council under its Gender Equality Project (GEP). The project is being funded by Department for International Development (DFID).

"Basically, networking is a life-long process and one keeps on liaisoning, at times within the family, friends or for working relationship which helps streamline the things. Therefore, I am of the view that civil society organizations through experience sharing and active collaboration can help build a strong and vigilant society," Justice Majida said.

At present, a number of NGOs are working for economic, political and socio-cultural empowerment of women and through collaboration these can better serve the cause. Referring to her recent visit to Germany, she said though the government supported non-governmental organizations there, however, they (NGOs) followed independent lines and highlighted problems at the grass roots level.

Similarly, in Pakistan the government does not prioritise women issues at highest level and it is the civil society organizations which have been pushing people at the helm for their emancipation.

Being appreciative of the basic concept of the conference - networking- the NCSW chairperson viewed it as a right step at right time when movement for women rights was getting momentum. She was also optimistic of the growing levels of women's rights awareness in the society, saying, "at least people have started talking about their rights, duties and place in the society".

Summing up the proceeding of the two-day conference, Sabira N Qureshi, the GEP Technical Advisor, expressed her satisfaction over the outcome during interactive sessions.