Islamabad: The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) in its fourth General Assembly meeting today strongly condemned violence and intimidation against women, including threats to parliamentarians, media workers, and activists, while passing a resolution demanding improved safety and rights protection measures. The meeting highlighted the caucus’s commitment to enhancing women’s security and advancing their socio-economic status through legislative and programmatic support.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the WPC’s resolution expressly denounced recent violent incidents and harassment against women and outlined immediate governmental actions required for ensuring women’s safety. Dr. Syeda Shahida Rehmani, Secretary of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, emphasized the caucus’s determination, stating, “We stand united against violence and intimidation, and demand concrete measures to protect women’s rights and empowerment. We will continue to work towards a safer and more equitable society for all women.”

The session also included a report on the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) by its Chairperson, detailing the strides made in providing financial aid to low-income families, particularly in empowering women. The Caucus praised the program’s achievements and advocated for escalated funding and support to expand its impact.

Further discussions at the meeting covered various facets of women’s empowerment, such as education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Members of the WPC also reiterated their concerns over the ongoing violence against women and stressed the need for collective efforts to tackle this urgent issue.

The resolution passed encompasses several key points:
1. Condemnation of violence and intimidation against women across different sectors.
2. Calls for immediate government action to bolster women’s safety and security.
3. Demand for concrete preventative measures against violence and harassment.
4. Support for the Benazir Income Support Program with a call for increased funding and sustainability.
5. Emphasis on comprehensive policies and programs to address women’s socio-economic challenges.

The WPC resolved to actively pursue the implementation of these points and to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of existing programs like BISP aimed at empowering women.