PESHAWAR: Civil society groups here have called upon major political parties to make commitments in their election manifestos for safeguarding rights of women and other disadvantaged groups and to address issues of impact of climate change, poverty, etc on them.

They asked the parties to ensure implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) 2014 and appoint a separate wing to monitor its compliance so as to eradicate terrorism from the country.

The demands were made during unveiling ceremony of ‘women manifesto’ jointly prepared by Aurat Foundation (AF), Feminist Friday and FEM Consortia, a network of multiple women rights organisations.

The ceremony was also attended by representatives of different political parties, who highlighted their commitment towards women empowerment and rights of vulnerable groups including religious minorities, persons with disabilities, etc.

Launches ‘women manifesto’ for parties

The AF regional director, Shabina Ayaz, and programme manager Saima Munir highlighted salient features of the manifesto, which they said was prepared in consultation with different segments of the society including politicians, civil society groups, media, academicians, etc.

They said the parties should ensure accurate and updated sex-disaggregated environment and climate change-related data focusing on rural agricultural woman and urban low income women.

They emphasised on inclusion of women in policy making by the ministry of climate change for ensuring gender equality as their voices often remained unheard during calamities.

The manifesto calls upon the political parties to review the national policy of education and introduce wider curriculum and educational reforms that seek to promote principles and values of religious diversity, peace, inter-faith harmony and multi-culturalism.

It provides that the parties should evaluate implementation of the National Policy on Ending Violence against Women (VAW) and end lacunas and loopholes in laws related to gender based violence and VAW.

It demands of the parties to make commitment for taking executive administrative actions to implement the famous judgement of Supreme Court of declaring decisions by jirgas as illegal and unconstitutional.

The provincial anti-harassment ombudsperson Ms Rukhshanda Naz, who was the chief guest, called upon Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure that women should not be harassed during campaign and in speeches delivered by the candidates.

She said Women Action Forum Lahore had prepared certain suggestions for the ECP for the general elections and she had taken it up with the commission requesting it to ensure that no violation of code of conduct and hate speech took place during campaigning.

She explained the background of the seats reserved for women and said that the women who were elected on reserved seats in different assemblies after the 2002 elections had highlighted important issues during their tenure.

She suggested that the ‘women manifesto” should also be shared with the bureaucracy specially the ministry of social welfare and human rights apart from political parties.

Former MPA and candidate of Awami National Party, Shagufta Malik, said that in their manifesto they had committed to allocate four per cent of the budget for education. Apart from other commitments, she said that if elected to power they would fully implement and improve women-related laws including that of domestic violence.

Provincial spokesperson of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal, Haji Abdul Jalil Jan, and a party candidate on reserved seats, Aiman Jalil Jan, said that during their government in the province from 2002 to 2007 the party had focused on education and had set up the first women medical college and a women university. They added that apart from provision of education and health facilities for women, the party would also focus on their vocational training.

Former MNA of Jamaat-i-Islami Zubaida Bibi highlighted the viewpoint of her party stating that they had been striving for the empowerment of women in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

Provincial chief of National Party, Dr Sarfaraz Khan, and central information secretary of Qaumi Watan Party, Tariq Khan, also explained the commitments of their respective parties.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2024