ISLAMABAD: As part of its efforts to safeguard and promote interests of women, the National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) has produced several reports suggesting ways to counter violence against women besides holding seminars to discuss pro-woman legislation.

According to an NCSW official, three research reports were launched last year including ‘Good Practices to Counter Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Promote Gender Equality in Pakistan’.

The report mapped out interventions that represent good practices in countering violence against women and girls including incidents involving acid and burn victims, the official said.

It was suggested in a report titled ‘Women in Election 2018’ that representation of women in politics and involvement in decision making bodies must increase by up to 33pc. Another report titled ‘Policy and Legal Framework Analysis on Gender Based Violence and Violence Against Women’ was also launched.

A conference on Rural Women Day was organised by the commission in collaboration with Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy (Poda). Apart from this, in order to acknowledge the writing skills of young female writers, the commission gives out the Young Writer of the Year award every year.

Furthermore, apart from participating in the 16- Days of Activism against VAW, the commission organised a one day consultation to raise awareness about adverse effects of child marriage formulating the Regional Action Plan (RAP) to End Child Marriage.

Established under the NCSW Act 2012, the commission was mandated to promote social, economic, political and legal rights of women as provided in the Constitution of Pakistan in accordance with its international commitments.

The body includes its chairperson Khawar Mumtaz and two members each from the four provinces and one member each from Islamabad, erstwhile-Fata agencies, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2021