ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP):A delegation of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), led by Secretary Dr Shahida Rehmani, visited the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in Islamabad to review women’s rights initiatives, push for stronger implementation of laws at the grassroots level and seek institutional action on violence against women, climate related vulnerabilities and gender inequality. Interim NCSW Chairperson Noureen Bano Lehri briefed the delegation on the commission’s …
WPC seeks stronger action to protect women
ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP):A delegation of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), led by Secretary Dr Shahida Rehmani, visited the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in Islamabad to review women’s rights initiatives, push for stronger implementation of laws at the grassroots level and seek institutional action on violence against women, climate related vulnerabilities and gender inequality.
Interim NCSW Chairperson Noureen Bano Lehri briefed the delegation on the commission’s ongoing initiatives and priorities, including its Strategic Plan 2026–2029, National Gender Parity Dashboard, bilingual awareness material on women’s rights and the longstanding issue of pending appointments to the commission.
Dr Rehmani stressed that legislation and policies would have little impact unless they translated into tangible relief and protection for women, particularly those living in underserved and vulnerable communities.
She also strongly condemned the recent murder of Hina Javed, an employee of the National Information Technology Board deputed to the National Assembly Secretariat, allegedly by her husband and a domestic worker at her in laws’ residence.
The WPC secretary said the caucus is committed to pursuing justice for Ms Javed and called for a free, fair, transparent and impartial investigation.
She said the WPC is taking the NCSW on board to ensure that all relevant institutional mechanisms were engaged and those found responsible were brought to justice and punished in accordance with the law.
The delegation called for stronger coordination between the NCSW and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), particularly to address the disproportionate impact of climate change and natural disasters on women.
The members urged authorities to incorporate women’s specific needs into disaster preparedness, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes, while calling for reliable gender disaggregated data to support evidence based legislation, policy making, budgeting and monitoring.
The WPC members also pressed for targeted measures for rural women to improve their access to education, healthcare, justice, economic opportunities and information about their legal rights.
They proposed introducing awareness of women’s rights and gender equality at the primary school level and strengthening awareness of women’s legal protections through the Nikahnama at the time of marriage.
Ms Lehri welcomed the WPC’s engagement and underscored the importance of institutional coordination, reliable gender data, accountability and effective implementation.
The delegation comprised MNAs Sofia Saeed Shah, Huma Akhtar Chughtai, Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Naeema Kishwar Khan, Tamkeen Akhtar Niazi, Mah Jabeen Abbasi, Neelum, Asia Naz Tanoli and Akhtar Bibi.
The meeting concluded with a shared emphasis that legislation alone could not deliver meaningful change unless backed by public awareness, reliable data, institutional coordination and effective enforcement
