Punjab Commission on the Status of Women

Last updated

The Punjab Commission on Status of Women (PCSW) is a human rights institution in Pakistan, which was established by the Government of Punjab in March 2014 under the PCSW Act, 2014. [1] Its mandate is to work for the empowerment of women, expansion of opportunities for socio-economic development of women, and elimination of all forms of discrimination against women [2] .

Contents

Punjab Commission on the Status of Women
AbbreviationPCSW
FormationMarch 2014
Legal statusStatutory body of the Government of the Punjab
PurposeAchieve gender equality
Women's Empowerment
Elimination of Violence against Women
Location
  • Lahore, Pakistan
Position vacant
Website https://pcsw.punjab.gov.pk/

Introduction

PCSW engages in research, advocacy, redressal, accountability, rehabilitation, awareness, capacity building, and monitoring to achieve the objectives of women's empowerment and preventing gender based violence. It mainly works and lobbies with lawmakers, parliamentarians and other decision-makers for promotion of laws and regulations aimed at empowering women in the social, economic and political spheres. PCSW has the unique powers to seek and receive information, data or documents from any public body, and it holds the powers of a civil court to ensure the attendance of any person and production of documents.

Since 2014, the commission not only built and maintained relationships with non-government organisations (NGOs) and other experts in order to effectively protect women's rights, but also undertook different initiatives to contribute to its objectives which include; developing IEC material, organizing awareness and capacity building sessions, conducting research studies as well as setting up centres to empower women economically, and provide protection to women victims of violence. [3] In this regard, an employment facilitation centre was set up that helped to train women job-seekers in job search, CV writing, and protection against harassment at workplace. [4]

PCSW has produced Gender Parity Reports and a Survey report on Economic and Social Wellbeing of Women. It has also developed a Gender Management Information System (GMIS) that helped address gender disparity in the public sector, track implementations of governmental pro-women initiatives, and monitor the status of women in Punjab. PCSW produced research based on the assessment of women in shelter homes and prisons. The members of the PCSW monitored the local government elections, and reported several issues relating to women to the authorities at the election commission of Pakistan. PCSW has set up a helpline where cases regarding authorities' lack of cooperation can be reported.

Mandate and functions of PCSW

PCSW has a broad mandate to promote and protect women's rights in Punjab province.

Establishment of PCSW

The Commission comprises a chairperson and ten independent members, preferably women, one from each division of Punjab, and one woman member from the religious minority communities. Whereas the secretaries to different government departments, the president women Chamber of Commerce and Industries serve as ex-officio members. According to PCSW, 2014, the persons must have prior experience of working on women's rights to be eligible for PCSW's membership. The members, between thirty and sixty years of age, are appointed to serve for a period of three years from the date of their appointment.

Chairperson

Former Members

2015 - 2018 [8]
NoNameRepresentation of Divisions
1.Ume Laila Azhar [9] Lahore Division
2.Shazia George [10] Faisalabad Division
3.Samina Nazir [11] Rawalpindi Division
4.Zia ur Rehman [12] Multan Division
5.Dr. Nagina Sadaf Gujranwala Division
6.Prof. M. Jalil Butt Sahiwal Division
7.Qaisra Ismail Sargodha Division
8.Prof. Dr. Razia Musarrat Bahawalpur Division
9.Ume Kalsoom Seyal Dera Ghazi Khan Division
10. Romana Bashir [13] Minority Member

PCSW's key Initiatives

PCSW has taken some initiatives which were never done before in Pakistan's history.

Punjab Gender Parity Report

PCSW provides analysis and insight into gender disparity existing in government institutions with the help of data collected from provincial departments and district offices. It published Gender Parity Reports for 2016, 2017, [14] 2018, [15] 2019&2020 [16] and 2021 [17] disseminated among policy-makers, NGOs, academics, foreign missions, etc. [18] The Punjab Gender Parity Reports [19] are launched on annual basis. [20]

Gender Management Information System (GMIS)

PCSW in collaboration with the Urban Unit developed a web-based Gender Management Information System (GMIS) on the status of women in Punjab province, which is an online database of sex-disaggregated data on 274 indicators across six thematic areas, including, Demographics, Governance, Health, Education, Justice, Economic Participation & Opportunities. [21] GMIS provides the implementation status of implementation of Punjab Women Empowerment Packages, and the special initiatives taken by the government of the Punjab.

Women in Leadership

This PCSW's initiative was taken to facilitate the implementation of Punjab Women Empowerment Package (PWEM) 2012 and Punjab Fair Representation of Women Act, 2014. In this regard, correspondence and networking with over 130 public sector entities and government departments were made that helped to increase women's representation in decision-making positions in the public sector by identifying potential women candidates and recommending them to government departments for placement on Boards & in Committees. Till 2018, 37 public sector entities were fulfilling the 33% requirement set by PWEP 2012.

Transitional Housing for Women Victims of Violence

PCSW in collaboration with the Social Welfare and Baitul Maal Department (SWD) signed an MoU to provide a transitional housing facility to the victims of domestic violence. A model transitional home [22] was launched for female survivors of violence on 26 May 2017, [23] which is equipped with facilities such as; bedrooms, a children's classroom, a resident classroom, Computer Lab, and a dispensary. It provides vocational training for a period of 6–12 months with the support of different Institutes such as; Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC), Pakistan Readymade Garments Technical Training Institute (PRGTTI), and National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTCC). It also provides training on different topics like pro-women laws, entrepreneurship, mental health, and confidence-building, and organizes individual psycho-social and group therapy sessions.

Legislation and Litigation

Awareness and Capacity Building

Initiatives to deal with Harassment

Punjab Women’s Helpline (1043)

A toll-free 24/7 helpline was launched in August 2014, where the following services are provided: [37]

Publications

A number of research reports and awareness material have been published by PCSW.

  1. Gender Management Information System [39]
  2. Punjab Gender Parity Report 2016 [40]
  3. Punjab Gender Parity Report 2018 [41]
  4. Punjab Gender Parity Report 2019 & 2020 [16]
  5. Punjab Gender Parity Report 2021 [17]
  6. Survey indicators Economic & Social Wellbeing of Women [42]
  7. Key Findings Reports Economic & Social Wellbeing of Women [42]
  8. Gathering data to advance women's Social & Economic Wellbeing 2017-2018 (survey Results) [43]
  9. Policy brief on Empowerment of Young Women [44]
  10. Policy brief on Overcoming Barriers to Women's Mobility [45]
  11. Policy brief on Gender Based Violence [46]
  12. Policy brief on Financial Inclusion of Women [47]
  13. Sheltering Women from Harm: Dar-ul-Amans of Punjab (2016) [48]
  14. Evaluating 2015 Legal Reforms Related to Land Inheritance and Their Impact on Women [49]
  15. Punjab Local Government Election Monitoring Report 2015 [50]
  16. Women in Punjab Prisons - Desk Review [51]
  17. Inspection Report for Central Jail Gujranwala [52]
  18. Punjab Women's Helpline [53]
  19. Female Help Desks in Punjab Police Stations - Status Report [54]
  20. Employment facilitation Centre [55]
  21. Women Innovation Network [56]
  22. Annual Reports: 2016, [57] 2017, [58] 2021 & 2022

Current status and controversy

Punjab Commission is dormant for over a year for the delay in the appointment of the Chairperson and the Members.

Fauzia Viqar has served as PCSW's Chairperson for two consecutive terms since 2014, however, she was arbitrarily terminated prematurely with a month's notice [59] through a notification issued by Women's Development Department (WDD) on 21 May 2019 without mentioning any reason, which is in violation to procedures given in the PCSW Act 2014. [60] The political and rights based groups criticized the government's decision to remove the Chairperson in such a manner, [61] because she was terminated at a time when she was on Ex Pakistan leaves. [59]

According to the law, [62] the government is bound to appoint PCSW's members within thirty days of occurrence of a vacancy. However, the members have not been appointed since the expiration of their term in March 2018. [63]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in Pakistan</span>

Women in Pakistan make up 48.76% of the population according to the 2017 census of Pakistan. Women in Pakistan have played an important role in Pakistani history and have had the right to vote since 1956. In Pakistan, women have held high office including Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly, Leader of the Opposition, as well as federal ministers, judges, and serving commissioned posts in the armed forces, with Lieutenant General Nigar Johar attaining the highest military post for a woman. Benazir Bhutto was sworn in as the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan on 2 December 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Commission on the Status of Women</span>

National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) is a Pakistani statutory body established by the President Pervez Musharraf, under the XXVI Ordinance dated 17 July 2000. It is an outcome of the national and international commitments of the Government of Pakistan like Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 1995; and 1998 National Plan of Action (NPA) for Women, 1998.

Marvi Memon is a Pakistani politician who recently served as Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme, from February 2015 until June 2018. She had been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from March 2008 to June 2011 and again from June 2013 to May 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imran Masood (Pakistani politician)</span>

Imran Masood is a politician and former provincial minister from Pakistan. He is a former education minister in the Punjab government.

Violence against women in Pakistan, particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence, is a major public health problem and a violation of women's human rights in Pakistan. Women in Pakistan mainly encounter violence by being forced into marriage, through workplace sexual harassment, domestic violence and by honour killings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rabiya Javeri Agha</span> British Pakistani journalist and civil servant (born 1963)

Rabiya Javeri Agha is the Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) in Pakistan, and a retired civil servant officer who served in the Government of Pakistan in BPS-22 grade as Federal Secretary. She was the first unanimously elected female President of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) Officers Association, and she has had an extensive career ranging from human rights, women's development, sustainable tourism, energy, finance and trade.

Feminism in Pakistan refers to the set of movements which aim to define, establish, and defend the rights of women in Pakistan.This may involve the pursuit of equal political, economic, and social rights, alongside equal opportunity. These movements have historically been shaped in response to national and global reconfiguration of power, including colonialism, nationalism, Islamization, dictatorship, democracy, and the War on Terror. The relationship between the women's movement and the Pakistani state has undergone significant shifts from mutual accommodation to confrontation and conflict.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khawar Mumtaz</span>

Khawar Mumtaz is a Pakistani women's rights activist, feminist author and university professor. She is the Former Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) who served for three consecutive terms from 2013 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tahira Abdullah</span> Pakistani activist

Tahira Abdullah is a Pakistani human rights activist, women's rights activist, social scientist and supporter of gender equality. She is based in Islamabad.

Arfa Sayeda Zehra is a Pakistani expert. She is currently serving as the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister for Education and National Harmony Affairs. She studied first at Lahore College for Women University, then Government College University, with further degrees from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Zehra is a professor emeritus of history at Forman Christian College and is a former principal of the Lahore College for Women University. She was a chairperson on the National Commission on the Status of Women. Zehra is a former caretaker provincial minister of Punjab. She is recognized for her knowledge on the Urdu language and literature and is specialized in intellectual history and South Asian social issues; outside of the university sphere, she speaks at language conferences and televised forums.

Inheritance law in Pakistan govern how property is passed on after death. Article 23 of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan guarantees all citizens the right to own property. Women have often faced challenges to asserting these rights. To address this, the government has introduced initiatives aimed to educating and assisting women with inheritance matters.

Fauzia Viqar is a Pakistani human rights activist with a focus on women's rights. She served as the first chairperson of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women from 2014 to 2019.

Anoosh Masood Chaudhry is a Pakistani police officer who serves as the deputy director, Administration, for Elite Police of Punjab, Pakistan since 26 September 2019. She was named as Lahore's best crime fighter for 2018. She became the first female Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan on 11 December 2014.

The Aurat Azadi March was started in 2018 in Pakistan by members of Women Democratic Front, other organizations like Women's Action Forum, Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls alliance, Young Teachers Association, Home-Based Women Workers Union, Awami Workers Party, Awami Jamhoori Party also joined the march on International Women's Day in Islamabad. Aurat Azadi March and Aurat March are organized by different groups of women since 2018. Aurat Azadi March is organized by group of socialist feminists whereas Aurat March is organized by group of liberal feminists. Aurat March was also started the same year by the group of individual women known as "Hum Aurtein" collective in Karachi and Lahore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reema Omer</span> Pakistani lawyer and news analyst

Reema Omer is a Pakistani lawyer, human rights professional and news analyst. She is currently working as a legal adviser for the International Commission of Jurists. She is a visiting faculty member at Lahore School of Law. She regularly writes her opinion on the legal landscape and human rights issues in Pakistan, and contributes her legal and political analysis in current affairs shows on different news channels.

Sadaffe Abid is a social entrepreneur from Karachi, Pakistan and the former COO and CEO of Kashf Foundation. She is the founder of tech-organization CIRCLE, and its current CEO. She is also a Vice Chairperson of Pakistan Microfinance Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanveer Jahan</span> Pakistani human rights defender and trainer

Tanveer Jahan is a Pakistani human rights defender and trainer. Jahan has been associated with the social development sector in Pakistan for over 35 years. She serves as Executive Director at the Democratic Commission for Human Development, and as National Coordinator of the Pakistan Human Rights Defenders Network. She has served as a member at the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rubina Feroze Bhatti</span> Human rights activist

Rubina Feroze Bhatti is a Pakistani human rights activist, peace activist and leadership consultant. She is a former member on the country's National Commission on the Rights of Child where she represented Punjab province. She is currently serving as an assistant professor at Pakistan Global Institute and a visiting fellow at Stanford University.

The legislative assembly of Pakistan has enacted several measures designed to give women more power in the areas of family, inheritance, revenue, civil, and criminal laws. These measures are an attempt to safeguard women's rights to freedom of speech and expression without gender discrimination. These measures are enacted keeping in mind the principles described by the Quran.

National Women's Day in Pakistan is 12 February of each year, chosen to mark the first women's march in Pakistan against the Zia ul Haq's military regime. The date 12 February 1983 is significant in the history of women's rights in Pakistan because the first such march was brutally suppressed by the martial law enforced by the police of General Zia ul Haq's regime. The Day is over three weeks before International Women's Day when the Aurat Marches take place in Pakistan.

References

  1. ↑ "Law passed: Punjab to have commission on status of women". The Express Tribune. 2014-02-13. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  2. ↑ "The Pakistan Penal Code (West Pakistan Amend) Act, 1963". punjablaws.gov.pk. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  3. ↑ "Protection of women: 'Lack of awareness biggest hurdle in law enforcement'". The Express Tribune. 2015-12-10. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  4. ↑ "Govt sets up job facilitation centre for women". The Nation. 2018-05-25. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  5. ↑ "Chairpersons of two commissions on women visit Dar-ul-Aman". Daily Times. 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  6. ↑ "Facilities to women at Dar-ul-Amaan praised". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  7. ↑ ""If you keep dialogue alive, you get good gains" | Political Economy | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  8. ↑ "Profile of Members | PCSW". pcsw.punjab.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  9. ↑ "Call for women's protection at workplace". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  10. ↑ "South Punjab witnesses surge in cases of violence against women". The Express Tribune. 2017-11-27. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  11. ↑ "Women protection law a bold step: minister". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  12. ↑ "Safety in the streets | Shehr | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  13. ↑ "'Punjab did well in ensuring women's political, economic empowerment'". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  14. ↑ "Punjab Gender Parity Report '18 launched". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  15. ↑ Jalil, Xari (2018-05-31). "Gender disparity persists in Punjab". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  16. 1 2 "Punjab Gender Parity Report 2019 & 2020" (PDF).{{cite web}}: External link in |author-link= (help)
  17. 1 2 "Punjab Gender Parity Report 2021" (PDF).{{cite web}}: External link in |author-link= (help)
  18. ↑ "Punjab women commission concerned over authentic data on violence". The Nation. 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  19. ↑ "PCSW launches 3rd Punjab Gender Parity Report". Daily Times. 2018-05-30. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  20. ↑ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2016-03-08). "Shahbaz lauds gender parity report". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  21. ↑ "Gender management info system on the cards". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  22. ↑ "Violence against women: MoU inked to provide housing, employment opportunities". The Express Tribune. 2017-01-19. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  23. ↑ "Victims of violence: Transitional housing for survivors". The Express Tribune. 2017-03-04. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  24. ↑ "Panel discussion on 'Progress towards Gender Equality in Punjab' held". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  25. ↑ "Violence against Women Bill". Pakistan today newspaper. 2009. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  26. ↑ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Pakistan court backs first wife in landmark polygamy case | DW | 02.11.2017". DW.COM. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  27. ↑ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2018-01-19). "Christians divorce: plea for upholding LHC decision allowing divorce without adultery charges". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  28. ↑ "PU, PCSW to work for women's rights - University of the Punjab - Press Release". www.pu.edu.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  29. ↑ "BR-ePaper | Nov 07, 2017 | Page National News Page 13". epaper.brecorder.com. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  30. ↑ "Washington, D.C. Metro Bus Stops". Wolfram Research Data Repository. doi:10.24097/wolfram.09431.data . Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  31. ↑ "Nikah registrars' training". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  32. ↑ "Over 1,800 nikah registrars trained on marriage laws". The Express Tribune. 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  33. ↑ Reporter, A. (2018-03-06). "PCSW opens training programme for students". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  34. ↑ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2017-12-20). "Study finds harassment in public buses". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  35. ↑ "PCSW, FIA agree to speedily address cybercrime complaints". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  36. ↑ Mustafa, Waqar (2017-01-05). "Pakistani province launches app for women to report harassment". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  37. ↑ "PCSW Helpline gives voice back to women". The Nation. 2017-08-23. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  38. ↑ "Domestic violence, harassment cases in Punjab on the rise". The Express Tribune. 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  39. ↑ "GMIS" (PDF). PCSW.
  40. ↑ "Gender Parity Report 2016" (PDF). PCSW.
  41. ↑ "Gender Parity Report" (PDF). PCSW.
  42. 1 2 "Key Findings Reports" (PDF). PCSW.
  43. ↑ "Survey results" (PDF). PCSW.
  44. ↑ "Policy brief on empowerment" (PDF). PCSW.
  45. ↑ "Policy brief on overcoming barriers" (PDF). PCSW.
  46. ↑ "Policy brief on gender based violence" (PDF). PCSW.
  47. ↑ "Policy brief on financial inclusion of women" (PDF). PCSW.
  48. ↑ "Sheltering Women" (PDF). PCSW.
  49. ↑ "Evaluating legal reforms" (PDF). PCSW.
  50. ↑ "Punjab local government" (PDF). PCSW.
  51. ↑ "Women in Prison" (PDF). PCSW.
  52. ↑ "Women prisoners" (PDF). PCSW.
  53. ↑ "Helpline" (PDF). PCSW.
  54. ↑ "Female Help Desk" (PDF). PCSW.
  55. ↑ "Employment facilitation centre" (PDF). PCSW.
  56. ↑ "Women innovative network" (PDF). PCSW.
  57. ↑ "PCSW annual report 2016" (PDF). PCSW.
  58. ↑ "PCSW annual report 2017" (PDF). PCSW.
  59. 1 2 Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2019-05-26). "PCSW head's removal draws activists' ire". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  60. ↑ "PCSW chairperson terminated". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  61. ↑ "Activists slam PCSW chairperson's removal". The Express Tribune. 2019-05-25. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  62. ↑ "PCSW Act, 2014". The Punjab Code.
  63. ↑ "Adjournment motion in PA". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.