May 4, 2005	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 24, 1426

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PESHAWAR, May 3: The Awami National Party (ANP) has decided to chalk out a programme to hold meetings with women in various districts to encourage them to take part in politics. A meeting of its district presidents, general secretaries and women activists was held at Baacha Khan Markaz here on Tuesday to assess the ground situation and discuss obstacles in the way of women’s participation in ANP at grassroots-level.

The meeting was convened by Zahira Khattak, the provincial convener for mobilising women at the districts from the ANP’s platform, said a press release issued here on Tuesday.

The presidents and secretaries of the ANP apprised the women activists of various difficulties and ensured them their participation in politics. The district leadership of the ANP was of the opinion that due to various reasons, including lack of initiative and encouragement by men, women participation in politics had decreased during the past few years. They said the ANP was capable to organise and mobilise women due to its secular and progressive credentials.

On this occasion, various women activists expressed disappointment over the attitude of men with regard to women’s participation in the ANP’s affairs in the past.

Ms Zahira Khattak said that senior party leadership had a political will to ensure women’s participation in political process in letter and spirit.

The meeting decided to organise meetings to encourage and strengthen women participation in the ANP at district level, said the press release.

Mr Afrasiab Khattak, central leader of the ANP, stressed the need to involve women in party affairs. He said Mr Asfandyar Wali Khan had also emphasised at various public meetings the need to involve women in politics and revive the spirit of Khudai Khidmatgaar Movement and the teachings of Baacha Khan regarding women empowerment for development and progress.