WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS ADVOCATE FOR GENDER-SENSITIVE LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING
Islamabad: – On the second day of the International Workshop titled “Advancing Gender Equality in Legislation: A Workshop on Gender-Sensitive Legislative Drafting,” organized by the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), the fourth session, “Essential Elements of Pro-Women Laws,” commenced with notable discussions on the nuances of gender-sensitive legislation. The session was moderated by legislative expert, Mr. Sheikh Sarfraz, and featured a distinguished panel, including Hon. MNA Ms. Sharmila Sahiba Faruqui Hashaam and parliamentary expert Mr. Zafarullah Khan.
The session delved into the importance of gender-sensitive considerations when drafting bills, specifically focusing on Articles 263, 25, and 228 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, along with other constitutional provisions and relevant bills. These elements were scrutinized to enhance participants’ understanding of how legislation can be more inclusive and attuned to gender equality. Mr. Zafarullah Khan emphasized the use of plural terminology, repetition of proper nouns, and the adoption of gender-neutral language to ensure the creation of laws that are both gender-sensitive and inclusive.
MNA Ms. Sharmila Sahiba Faruqui Hashaam shared poignant anecdotes to highlight the urgent issue of child marriage, urging for the establishment of equal opportunities for education and professional advancement for women and girls, particularly in rural and urban areas. She commended the formation of Pakistan’s Gender Mainstreaming Committee, established within the Parliament, which works to ensure that all drafted laws are inclusive and gender-sensitive. She further stressed the importance of thorough research to identify the root causes of societal issues, thereby enabling legislative amendments or the creation of new laws free from loopholes and gaps. The session concluded with an engaging and informative dialogue between participants and panelists.
Additionally, a Roundtable on “Way Forward to Achieving Gender Equality Through Legislation” was convened, during which participants examined property inheritance laws for women worldwide. The Roundtable featured delegates from the People’s Majlis of Maldives, the Parliament of Sri Lanka, as well as Pakistani parliamentarians, including Hon. Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, Ms. Ghazala Gola, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Ms. Zainab Gimba, and members from civil society. The session was moderated by Hon. MNA Ms. Shaista Pervaiz and Mr. Muhammad Mushtaq, Special Secretary (Advisor on Legislation) of the National Assembly of Pakistan.
In her closing remarks, Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, Ms. Ghazala Gola, expressed her appreciation for the invaluable contributions of the foreign parliamentary delegations from Sri Lanka and Maldives, as well as the active participation of Pakistan’s women parliamentarians.
Secretary of the WPC, MNA Dr. Shahida Rehmani, and Chairperson of the CWP, Ms. Zainab Gimba, presented shields to all participants, recognizing their crucial input during the two-day workshop. Treasurer of the WPC, MNA Shahida Begum, lauded the participants for their steadfast dedication to gender equality and for their advocacy of gender-sensitive legislation.
Following the formal proceedings, foreign delegates and women parliamentarians were given a guided tour of the National Assembly Hall, where a group photo was taken for institutional memory.
The workshop witnessed participation from Senator Ms. Saadia Abbasi, MNA Syeda Shehla Raza, MNA Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, MPA Ms. Shahida Rauf, MPA Ms. Tanzila Umi Habiba, MPA Ms. Bibi Yasmeen Shah, MP People’s Majli of Maldives Ms. Asma Rasheed, MP Parliament of Sri Lanka Ms. Chamidranee Bandara Kiriella & MP Parliament of Sri Lanka Ms. Lakmali Kanchana Hemachandra.