Case Study Question 2

It is widely accepted fact that gender quotas alone cannot transform the quality of women’s
representation in any field. Discuss how the women parliamentary Caucus was able to influence
some landmark policy decisions on women rights. Critically examine whether these decisions have
had a favourable impact on women rights.

Presented By: Agha Hashar Kasmiri

By reviewing gender quotas and quality of women’s representation, it is evident that quota alone
cannot transform women’s representation. Due to various social reasons, women remained
marginalized since ages. In order to bridge the gap positive prejudice is needed in form of
affirmative actions like gender quotas are the first steps. However capacity building on long term
basis will be required that women are at par for competition on open basis for representation at
all levels. Launch of Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) on 21 November 2008 was a landmark
in the parliamentary history of Pakistan for human empowerment. Soon after its launch WPC
conducted a visit to women police stations in Rawalpindi and Islamabad with the objective to give
an impetus to the women policing. A report was submitted highlighting various issues and putting
recommendation for women policing in Pakistan. In line with recommendations of WPC a project
titled Gender Responsive Policing Project was started by Ministry of Interior in July 2009. Under
the project following were the notable activities regarding women policing:

 SoPs to deal with women victims of violence

• Establishment of Ladies Complaint Units

• Dedicated women desks inside police stations

• Women Police Station with 24-hrs helpline in Karachi (2009)

• 60 women’s desks at Police stations in KP

• Placing women as role-models into the police forces in Punjab

WPC also played its role in appointment of Women Member in Planning Commission of Pakistan.
Dr. Saba Gul Khattak was appointed as the Women Member in 2009 by effective lobbying of WPC.
On 16th Speakers Conferences held on 3 March 2010 in Lahore, establishment of provincial
parliamentary caucuses was announced. WPC also influenced, restructuring of National
Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) under NCSW Act, 2012. It is an independent statutory
body which works under Ministry of Human Rights for women empowerment in Pakistan. NCSW
activities include the following:

• Telecast of drama serial “Dil Na Umeed tou Naheen to highlighting different forms of
human trafficking of women

• Seminar to combat Trafficking of Women in Pakistan in 2019 at Islamabad

• NCSW challenged the jirga/panchayat in the Supreme Court of Pakistan (CSP) and in 2019
jirga/panchayat was declared illegal by SCP

• The Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act 2018 was passed

• Consultative sessions with provincial stakeholders were held to mitigate GBV during Covid-
19 with the followingobjectives:

 All relevant stakeholder dialogue on the challenges posed by the realities of GBV

 Identify possible actions for policy, program, and community level.

 Multispectral Oversight Group, per province, is formed for monitoring GBV.

• Practical Steps regarding women policing have been initiated

• Strengthening of National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW)

• Different initiatives by NCSW will bring positive change