ISLAMABAD: A recent meeting of the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming highlighted critical issues concerning the appointment of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Chairperson, gender budget allocations, and institutional responses to women’s rights.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the meeting, chaired by Dr. Nafisa Shah, Member of the National Assembly, took place at the Parliament House. The Committee addressed gender-responsive budgeting, accountability in women-related development projects, and broader challenges in women’s protection and representation. A significant concern was the delayed appointment of a permanent NCSW Chairperson, with members noting that this has hindered the Commission’s effectiveness and representation in parliamentary forums. The Committee urged authorities to expedite the appointment process.

The Committee also expressed alarm over the low budget allocation for women-specific initiatives under the Public Sector Development Programme, with gender-specific allocations making up only 0.4 percent of the development budget. Members criticized this as inadequate given the country’s gender disparities and emphasized the need for a dedicated Gender Budget Statement to promote gender-responsive budgeting.

Additionally, the Committee discussed rising incidents of gender-based violence and emphasized the need for stronger institutional coordination and improved enforcement mechanisms. Concerns were also raised about the NCSW’s lack of participation in a recent United Nations conference, highlighting the need for proactive international engagement.

The Committee stressed that gender mainstreaming should be an integral part of national planning and governance, advocating for meaningful representation of women in development priorities and institutional leadership.