22 October 2004	Friday	07 Ramazan 1425

ISLAMABAD, Oct 21: National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Chairperson Justice (retired) Majida Rizvi on Thursday criticized the Ministry of Women Development for not appointing members to the commission which was hindering its routine working.

She was briefing mediapersons on the NCSW's activities, progress and recent initiatives taken by the statutory body for the emancipation of women.

Justice Rizvi said: "Out of NCSW's 20 members, at present it has only three members. Under the rules, we are unable to convene its regular meetings as presence of a minimum of 10 members is required."

She said most of the commission members had completed their term in August 2003. Though the women development ministry was informed before this deadline, it failed to appoint members, she added.

On July 17, 2000 a permanent NCSW was formed as a statutory body through an ordinance promulgated by the president.

The 20-member body comprises a chairperson, two representatives each from the four provinces and one each from Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, Northern Areas and the Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (Fata). Besides, there is one representative from the minorities, three scholars and three ex- officio members i.e. secretaries of ministries of finance, law and interior.

The commission as per its mandate has carried out a number of studies and subsequently made recommendations. However, due to lack of quorum it is unable to move further, Justice Rizvi said.

The objectives of the establishment of the NCSW are emancipation of women, provision of equal opportunities and elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

"But at present we are totally stuck up due to the absence of its members, which gives the impression that the commission is a non-existent body and is doing nothing," she said.

She said she had been advocating for an autonomous NCSW because it could deliver in a better way. But, the government is not paying attention in this regard, she added.

She said there was a dire need to set up NCSW's provincial offices for better coordination with provincial governments and for redressal of women victims from the rural areas.

Similarly, the commission had submitted its rules of business for vetting, but despite passage of about two years, it is yet to receive any response.

The chairperson said shortage of staff at the NCSW secretariat was also hampering its routine working. She said despite repeated requests to the women development ministry, no step had been taken to resolve the matter.

About various activities which the commission has undertaken, Justice Rizvi said it reviewed discriminatory legislation including the Citizenship Act 1951, Hudood Ordinance and Muslim Family Laws.

It also commissioned an inquiry on the 'Status of Women Employment in Public Sector Organizations' to examine and assess implementation of federal government policies on the issues and make appropriate recommendations.

In response to a question, she said recommendations for repealing of Hudood Ordinance were with the Council of Islamic Ideology for review.

Under the law, these recommendations have to be presented before the parliament for open discussion.

There are no second thoughts on defects in the Hudood laws. As many as 75 per cent of women, who are in jails, are victims of these reprehensible laws, she added.

The commission has completed its research work on Qisas and Diyat, and on the status of home-based women workers. It will soon forward its recommendation in this regard to the government, she added.