GILGIT: Speakers in a workshop revealed that women have the lowest political participation in Gilgit-Baltistan. They urged political parties to ensure that more women are involved in organisational set ups and political process.

This day-long workshop on Women Development Policy was held in Gilgit. It was attended by GB Senior Minister retired Col Ubaidullah Baig, Gilgit-Baltistan assembly members Ghulaam Mohammad, Dislah Bano, Kulsoom Farman, Suraya Zaman, secretary Social Welfare Women Development Department Fida Hussain, government officials, female political activists and academic professionals.

Mahnaz Parveen, head of partnership and innovation at Dadi Jawari Centre for Public Policy, said despite the highest literacy rate among women in GB, their participation in politics is lowest across the region.

She said there is no specific data available, however, women’s participation in politics is lowest in GB.

“Only tokenism prevails in GB for inclusion of women in the political process. Only some female politicians have been made part of political organisations and the government,” she said, adding inclusion of women in all political processes in GB is needed.

Susan Aziz, member, National Commission on Status of Women said that cultural barriers, financial constraints and other factors are the reason why women’s involvement in the political process in GB is limited.

She said that awareness about women’s participation in politics needs to be created on a school level.

Rubina, a political activist, said character assassination of female politicians should be banned.

Zahra, another activist, said that economic empowerment, protection of all fundamental rights of women should be ensured.

They emphasised on encouraging women to set up platforms to express their views and provide grants to set up platforms. They said right to inheritance should be provided in GB.

All laws including family laws should extended to GB, they said, adding GB’s women play their role in all fields of life however the lowest participation in political process needs to be addressed.

They recommended organisation of awareness sessions.

In the session four thematic areas were discussed including economic inclusion of women, safeguarding of women from harassment and violence, access to physical and mental health and nutrition.

Senior minister, Social Welfare Women Development Department GB said that it was encouraging to see that women in GB are leading in all walks of life.

He said the GB government is formulating a women development policy and such sessions are essential for formulating the policy.

He said the policy will empower women and also strengthen the women development department through an envisaged implementation framework of the policy which includes outreach to women in each corner of GB as well as educational, digital and vocational development.

Member of GB assembly and Parliamentary Secretary Dilshad Bano said the women of GB have extra ordinary potential which should be utilised for the development of society.

She said that women of GB are an example for the rest of the country.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2023