ISLAMABAD, Jan 16: The Senate Standing Committee on Women Development on Tuesday stressed observation of the code of ethics by multinational corporations in order to protect the societal values.

Taking strong exception to the exploitation of women in media, the committee directed the Ministry of Women Development to take tangible steps in collaboration with the information and broadcasting ministry and relevant government organisations like Pemra to ensure the implementation of the code. The committee met here to discuss the report submitted in compliance with the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), giving progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The meeting presided over by Senator Tahira Latif said business organisations and companies must observe certain code of ethics for the collective good and moral health of the society, otherwise there would be complete chaos and confusion of values.

It also asked the ministry not to undertake implementation of those clauses of CEDAW which are in conflict with the constitutional provisions and societal values.

Appreciating the work done for empowerment of women, the committee said the ministry should strive further to improve the lot of women, particularly in the rural areas. “No country can afford to ignore half of its population in this age,” it observed.

Earlier, Minister for Women Development Sumaira Malik told the meeting that the law to prevent harassment of women at workplace had been prepared in the light of the ministry’s recommendations. She said it was for the first time in country’s history that women were being inducted as fighter pilots in the air force and commissioned officers in the army as well as holding important positions like the SBP governor and the foreign ministry’s spokesperson.