KARACHI, Dec 13: Sindh Minister for Local Government Mohammad Hussain has said that keeping in view the success of Masalihati Anjumans (MAs) in Dadu and Shikarpur, the same would be formed in Jacobabad, Nawabshah and Mirpurkhas to ensure gender justice.

He said this while presiding over a meeting of Monitoring and Evaluation Cell of his department in his office here on Wednesday.

He said that the goal of the project was to assist women and other vulnerable sections of society by improving their condition, safeguarding their rights and ensuring their lawful entitlements.

In all, 52 union councils of Dadu and 50 of Shikarpur had Masalihati Anjumans and Insaaf Committees functioning successfully.

Partnership of these mediation associations with police and judiciary is necessary for an accountable, fair and equitable dispensation of justice, he observed.

He stressed participation of more women in the process, stating that woman mediators could do better in ensuring justice with womenfolk in gender issues.

These Anjumans have been playing a vital role in resolving various issues being faced by women and other weaker sections of society, he observed.

The minister expressed his satisfaction over the fact that 53 per cent women were acting as Musleh (mediator) in Dadu and 84 per cent in Shikarpur.

The preparation of gender rights information material in English, Urdu and Sindhi is also a commendable achievement, he noted.

He appreciated the support extended by the Norwegian Embassy and Swiss Development Corporation in this regard, and said that the decision to continue the support the programme till 2011 would greatly help ensure gender justice across the province.

Director Monitoring & Evaluation Cell Dr Sikandar Ali Panhwar briefed the minister about working of the Cell.—Online