QUETTA: Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi, the Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Chairperson of the Women Parliamentary Caucus Forum, said on Wednesday that the Balochistan government has set up anti-harassment committees in 17 departments of the province.

Speaking at a dialogue on ‘Gender and Racial Equality’ organised by thr FDI Pakistan, she said efforts were being made to implement the law for providing a peaceful and harassment-free atmosphere to the working women in Balochistan.

Dr Buledi said the process for formation of inquiry committees under Section 3 of the Anti-Harassment Act, 2016, was under way in all departments of Balochistan and so far such committees had been set up in 17 departments, while other departments were working on it.

“Legislation is under way in Balochistan to bring the marginalised sections, including women, youths and transgenders, into the mainstream of development so that they could play a positive role in this regard,” she said.

She said all member countries of the United Nations, including Pakistan, should allocate resources to provide health, economic and environmental justice to women.

Dr Buledi said the first health policy for transgender people had been formulated in Balochistan, while necessary laws had been prepared for the public interest, including economic stability of women, prevention of child marriage and health of women and youths. “Implementing these laws will not only fulfil the global commitment to SDGs but also provide equal opportunities for practical development to the marginalised sections.”

The head of Forum for Dignity Initiatives Pakistan, Mohammad Yaqoob, highlighted the aims and objectives of the event.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2022