PESHAWAR, Dec 27: Women rights activists in the NWFP have expressed concern over the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government’s indifference to the Gender Reform Action Plan (Grap).

They alleged that the provincial government was dragging its feet on the issue due to its aversion to women rights.

The draft of Grap, they pointed out, was presented to a provincial steering committee which comprised officials from the concerned government departments and non-governmental organisations nearly five months ago; and charged that in the very first meeting, the non-seriousness of the MMA government was visible.

“The impression I got from the committee meeting was that the NWFP government was not serious about Grap and the discussions during the meeting were anti-gender reforms and anti-gender equality,” observed Ms Bushra Gohar, a woman activist, a member of the steering committee and the chairperson of the Human Resource Management & Development Centre.

Some of the committee members from the NGOs expressed their dissatisfaction over the government attitude towards Grap.

“The MMA government is showing very little interest in actually implementing Grap. In fact, it is pushing people away from even discussing gender reforms,” Ms Gohar said.

Another member of the committee and resident director of the Aurat Foundation, Ms Rakhshinda Naz, said the MMA government was not serious about women problems in the province. “Stereo-type projects are backed by MMA government but when it is time for power-sharing with the women, the government is reluctant. That is why there is no women member in the provincial cabinet,” she added.

“Grap will be presented to the provincial cabinet only after the provincial steering committee approves it (Grap),” Ms Razia Aziz, an MMA parliamentarian and committee member said.

“The provincial government has some financial constraints,” she said, adding that “foreign donors have their own vested interests when they lend you money, therefore, looking to them for help is useless.”

A team of consultants have prepared Grap with the financial help of the ADB for the federal government and provincial governments “to enhance the capacity of the government departments in improving the status of women in the context of gender and governance,” according to the draft presented to the provincial steering committee in its first meeting held in July, 2003.

Grap seeks to address some of the evident gender gaps through reforms in four prioritised key areas: political reforms, institutional reforms, reforms in public sector employment and policy and fiscal reforms. “If approved and implemented by the government,” the draft says, “the reforms Grap would spur actions that could lead to gender mainstreaming and help in achieving the ultimate goal of gender equality and equity in province.”

“The NWFP government has also been asked to establish a separate women development department which will be funded by the ADB for the first three years. If the provincial cabinet approves, it will be launched.”

Meanwhile, NWFP Zakat and Ushr Minister, Hafiz Hashmat said: “Gender Reform Action Plan (Grap) is a good plan to improve the status of women and MMA government is considering these reforms but financial constraints of the provincial government are holding it back from presenting it before the cabinet.”

He maintained: “Grap is going to be sent to the finance department and, after taking into account all the aspects, if it is approved, the plan will be presented to the cabinet.”