Inter-provincial Delegation's exposure visit to PCSW

Collaborative efforts of all the provinces are required to strengthen and empower women in Pakistan; measures would be more effective if taken in all provinces, stated the Chairperson of Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) Fauzia Viqar, while talking to an Inter-Provincial Delegation's exposure visit to Punjab Commission on the Status of Women in Lahore. She further stated that inter-provincial coordination will aid new avenues of collaboration and open the Government to opportunities for experience-sharing and mutual learning. As Punjab Commission has piloted various data collection and research based initiatives, other Provincial Commissions must learn from Punjab's experience, and collaborate with other Government departments to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment. Chairperson Fauzia Viqar assured the Provincial Commissions from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that Punjab Commission will fully cooperate and offer its services to aid development of empowerment schemes for women. Chairperson Sindh Commission on the Status of Women Nuzhat Shirin mentioned that inter-provincial harmony can result in initiation of comprehensive redress mechanisms and service delivery through which women can raise their voices for protection of women's rights. On this occasion, Chairperson of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women Neelum Khan Toru; Chairperson Women Parliament Caucus KPK Assembly, and MPA Meraj Humayun Khan supported interaction among all provinces to implement efforts directed at research and capacity building. Secretary Women Development Department, Baluchistan Muhammad Siddique Mandokhel highlighted that empowering women is a major challenge for everyone in Pakistan. In this regard, he appreciated collective efforts from all provinces, and emphasized their utility in bringing women at par with men in Pakistan. In view of these discussions, Secretary Sindh Women Development Department Mudassir Iqbal, Secretary Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department KPK Fareeha Paul, Deputy Inspector General Prisons Baluchistan Ziaullah Khan Tareen, Secretary Prosecution Department Punjab Dr. Aftab Baloch, Manager Women Crisis Centre & Shelter Home Rubina Zahri, and representatives of UN Women from all provinces including Hooriya, Rehana Khilji, Mehwish Maria Shah and Syed Wajid were also present in the meeting. All Attendees appreciated Punjab Commission's word in promoting evidence-based policy-making, collecting data, and providing information and complaint services to women through Punjab Women helpline (1043).