ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday emphasised on parliamentary forums to concentrate on public welfare and formulate legislation for the betterment of marginalised segments of the society.

“Parliamentary forums, comprising representatives from all political parties, are fundamentally established to advance public welfare and formulate legislation for the betterment of marginalised segments of society including children, women, and youth,” Mr Sadiq said while presiding over the National Women’s Convention organised by the Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC).

He stressed that the goal of these forums transcended the mere convening of donor-driven meetings. Their paramount objective is to craft substantive legislation that addresses the needs of marginalised communities, firmly rooted in the prevailing socio-economic realities.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq further underscored that the National Assembly, in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS), is adequately equipped with the necessary human resources to support and enhance the efficiency of parliamentary forums. He advocated for the imperative transformation of these forums into more purposeful and effective bodies, dedicated to fulfilling their legislative mandates with integrity and impact.

The speaker commended the contributions of women parliamentarians in the legislative proceedings of the House. He lauded their pivotal role across all socio-economic sectors in Pakistan, acknowledging their significant contributions to the nation’s development.

He further stated that “women working in the National Assembly are permitted to leave before evening to maintain a balance between their professional responsibilities and family life”. He also stressed the need to support women in every socio-economic sector of the country.

WPC Secretary Dr Shahida Rehmani highlighted the legislative achievements spearheaded by women parliamentarians, notably the “Protection Against Harassment at the Workplace Act”, which showcased exemplary cross-party collaboration.

She also advocated for mandatory measures during general elections to ensure a minimum 10pc participation of women voters.

Deputy Speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Suriya Bibi emphasised the importance of cross-party collaborations and the effective utilisation of women parliamentary caucuses.

She detailed the legislative accomplishments of WPC KP, including the passage of Child Protection Bill, the Protection Against Harassment of Women Bill, and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Bill.

Deputy Speaker of Balochistan Assembly Ghazala Gola showcased the achievements of women members in her province, including the establishment of anti-harassment cells, the formation of the Provincial Commission on the Status of Women, and the passage of the Balochistan Protection of Women Against Harassment at Workplace Act.

She emphasised the importance of sharing experiences and collaboratively addressing challenges faced by women at federal, provincial, regional and local levels to ensure a comprehensive trickle-down effect of women empowerment.

Member of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Kalsoom Farman highlighted the legislative contributions of women in the GB Assembly, such as the formation of the Commission on the Status of Women, promotion of child rights, enforcement of inheritance laws to prevent exploitation and initiatives to curb suicide rates in the region.

MPA and Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh Tanzila Ume Habiba shared details of two unanimous resolutions passed by members of all political parties in the Sindh Assembly.

She stressed the need for a unified approach to legislate and promote women empowerment across federal, provincial and local levels.

MPA Punjab Ishrat Ashraf emphasised the urgent need to collectively dismantle social stigmas and barriers that hinder women’s access to justice through law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.

She advocated for societal reforms to enable women to seek justice without fear of judgement from family or society.

Additionally, she highlighted the necessity of ensuring the social and physical security of women, enabling them to engage in employment opportunities with confidence and peace of mind.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2025