Islamabad: The Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming has voiced its dissatisfaction over the delay in appointing new leadership for key women’s commissions, emphasizing that such vacancies hinder the operational capacity of these institutions. The committee, chaired by Dr. Nafisa Shah, MNA, highlighted the need for immediate appointments to the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women to ensure these bodies can effectively promote and protect women’s rights.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee convened at Parliament House in Islamabad to discuss various challenges faced by women’s commissions, including staff shortages and insufficient resources. The committee stressed the necessity of providing adequate financial and human resources to empower these bodies to fulfill their mandates.
Dr. Shah commended the dedication of the current chairpersons of the NCSW and provincial commissions, acknowledging their commitment to advancing women’s rights. During the meeting, the Acting Chairperson of NCSW briefed the committee on the commission’s legal framework and operational challenges. The NCSW, established under the National Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2012, is responsible for reviewing laws affecting women, advising the government, and coordinating with provincial commissions.
The committee emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional linkages between the NCSW and provincial commissions, advocating for regular consultations and coordinated actions on issues impacting women. It also recommended the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring and follow-up mechanism to track the implementation of recommendations and ensure effective parliamentary oversight.
In addition, the committee called for the Ministry of Human Rights, in collaboration with the NCSW and provincial commissions, to enhance their institutional capacity and develop transparent mechanisms for addressing complaints related to women’s rights violations. The meeting was attended by several members of the National Assembly and Senate, along with officials from the Ministry of Human Rights.