Tag: Women Participation

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EU for election reforms, women’s participation

By Mariana Baabar

ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) has forewarned the Nawaz Sharif government that it should immediately concentrate on and take action to matters related to electoral reforms otherwise the next general elections could be greatly undermined. These include adequate legal reform, stronger ECP performance and transparency, improved opportunities for legal remedy, and increased participation of women and minorities.

After extensive meetings in Islamabad the the Mission realised that there are a number of shortcomings in the local elections including inadequate legal frameworks, reduced transparency, lack of confidence in the work of returning officers, and weak mechanisms for legal remedy.

“Such problems show the urgent need for election reform to avoid uncertainty, conflict or instability in the next general elections,” cautions the EU. The suggestions came from Michael Gahler, who heads The Electoral Follow-up Mission of the EU and is presently visiting Pakistan. He is also Member of the European Parliament, who also led the 2008 and 2013 EU EOMs to Pakistan.

According to a statement from the European Union Delegation to Pakistan the findings of the Mission will also be considered when deciding future EU support and activities in Pakistan, including potential support to the electoral reform process and deployment of an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the next general elections.

Michael Gahler emphasised “Now is the time for reform decisions and actions. Further delays to reform risk problems recurring and undermining the next general elections. These problems can be avoided if parties and institutions show decisive leadership at this crucial time.”

The Mission is also a reminder that it is obligatory on the Nawaz Sharif government to seriously go ahead with electoral reform process because the EU’s GSP+ agreement with Pakistan for preferential trade arrangements requires implementation of international conventions, which include inter alia obligations regarding electoral processes.

“The EU therefore trusts that Pakistani authorities will fulfill their commitments to improving elections and political participation”, added the statement.

“For election reform to be effective, time is needed for implementation that begins well before the next election is called. Inclusive and transparent reform processes help build confidence in elections and their results. Well run elections are in everyone’s interest and can only help Pakistan’s prosperity”, said Michael Gahler.

The Mission met with the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms, the Chief Election Commissioner, the Chair of the Senate, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Chair of NADRA, political party leaders and civil society representatives.

After these meetings the Mission says it nevertheless welcomes the establishment and the ongoing work of a parliamentary committee dedicated to reforming election legislation.

It also appreciates the increasing initiatives made by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), including with regards to training, monitoring and promoting women’s participation. The Mission is also encouraged to see that competitive local elections have been held.

The European Union (EU) has deployed an Electoral Follow-up Mission to Pakistan to assess the current electoral reform process and the extent to which previous EU election-related recommendations have been addressed.

The News

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Women participation in national uplift is key priority of the govt

ISLAMABAD: “Active Participation of women across all social sectors is critical for the sustainable development of the country”, said Prof Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for planning, Development and Reforms while talking to Katherine Russell, Ambassador at Large US Ambassy for Global Women’s Issues, when she called on the minister on Thursday.

The federal minister said “government fully recognises the fact that societies and countries cannot move forward without empowering women. Prime minister has directed to ensure 50% participation of women in PM’s Youth Loan Scheme in this regard. 22% parliamentarians are female who get equal chance in policy making process as their counter parts do.

In Pakistan female participation in nation development is growing in all fields. In education sector, girls are shinning and out performing boys. The enrolment of girl students is growing at double rate then boys”.

Federal minister further enlightened the delegate about plans for women empowerment as envisioned in 11th five-year plan and vision 2025. Federal minister acknowledged US support for providing, youth of Pakistan, opportunities to study in US institutions through scholarships and hoped for further increase in such opportunities, particularly for women.

Catherine Russell appreciated the minister for his keen interest and focus on the uplift of status of women through 5-year plan and vision 2025. She showed immense pleasure on the steps taken by the government for empowering women and recommended that equal opportunities may be provided to women belonging from remote areas.

CERN: A four-member high powered CERN Technical Team (CTT) – led by CERN’s Director for Research and Scientific Computing Dr Sergio Bertolucci also called on Prof Ahsan Iqbal, on Thursday in order to discuss opportunities for collaborative work in the field of research and human resource development.
“There is a dire need to develop capacity in the fields of science and technology to sustain growing population and meet future challenges. In order to harness the minds of brilliant youth of Pakistan, engagement between the senior scientists, engineers and experts of international level and youth of the country, can be very beneficial”, said the minister to visiting CERN delegation.

Federal Minister further highlighted “Bigger chunks have been allocated for the social development, higher education and Science & Technology although resources are limited due to mismanagement of the past. Investing specifically on ‘Applied Research’ will bring optimum results and will help in development”. Minister showed concern that very few patents are being registered by Pakistani researchers and the government assigns highest priority towards promoting innovation.

Dr Sergio Bertolucci said Pakistan has proven that it is capable to deliver in terms of technology and has few centre of excellence here.

He appreciated the vision 2025 programme and showed interests in working together in many fields including provision of access to digital Libraries for improving research in the field of science and technology.

Daily Times

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‘Women participation vital for economy’

LAHORE: The dream of economic turnaround will not be possible without the participation of women in the economy, said Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Governor Punjab.

Speaking at a dinner reception hosted by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said, “If a nation has to prosper and excel, its women have to be empowered. They have to be allowed and authorised to contribute in nation building by becoming equal shareholder.”

The dinner was in honour of participants of the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) Regional Women Training Workshop.

LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar, Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad, CIPE Deputy Director Andrew Wilson, Country Director CIPE Moeen Fudda, and Convener LCCI Committee on Women Entrepreneur Development and Resource Centre Aasia Saail Khan spoke on the occasion. The Governor said the collaboration of CIPE with LCCI is creating awareness among the women entrepreneurs and helping them to get international exposure.

He said that the government was aware of the challenges, saying the steps were afoot to ensure women participation in the decision-making process at the institutional level.

Farooq Iftikhar said the LCCI is organising training programmes so that maximum number of women could be able to start their businesses and could contribute towards the well-being of the economy.

Moin Fudda said the primary role of the CIPE is to support its local partners’ efforts to improve the business environment through advocacy and policy dialogue in Pakistan.

He said that CIPE was working to implement programs aimed at enhancing business knowledge and strengthening the entrepreneurial culture among women. CIPE, he said, has identified four principal areas to help the business community to become a leading advocate for market-oriented reform and democratic governance. These include a grant program supporting grassroots networks in developing countries, an award-winning communications strategy, capacity building programs, and technical assistance through field offices.

The News

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Women empowerment competition

home-based workers

KARACHI: General Electric (GE) and Ashoka Changemakers launched an online competition in search of innovative solutions that will advance economic opportunities for women in Pakistan, Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa.

‘Women Powering Work: Innovations for Economic Equality’ is calling for initiatives that enable women to achieve economic equality, strengthen their families and communities, and benefit equally from economic growth.

“The competition extends our efforts in support of economic empowerment of women,” said Nabil Habayeb, President & CEO, GE Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.

The competition seeks solutions that address barriers to economic equality, including initiatives that help end gender discrimination.

Three prizes, each totalling $25,000 in unrestricted funding, will be awarded to the winning entries. The deadline for entering is November 6, 2013.

DAWN

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More women participation urged in media for gender mainstreaming

By: Kiyya Qadir Baloch

ISLAMABAD: At an event, organised by UKs research centre and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) on Wednesday, a report was launched addressing the imperative need for greater women participation in media.

The speakers at the launching ceremony stressed the need for raising awareness among people about gender-based violence. They also called for curbing discrimination against and stereotyping of women in national media.

The report, titled ‘Who’s Telling Our Story: A Situation Analysis of Women in Media in Pakistan’, was launched at a local hotel under the presence of prominent media persons, scholars, lawyers and civil society representatives. The event started with the screening of a documentary, which gave a detailed description of the report and its various stages.

The report revealed that stereotyping of women in the media had been hindering the development and empowerment of women in the Pakistani media.

Prominent writer and poet Kishwar Naheed participated as chief guest in the ceremony. Eminent lawyer Asma Jahangir, UN Pakistan-based gender adviser Salman Asif, Fozia Shahid, representative of journalist union, Farzana Ali, Peshawar-based Bureau Chief of a private TV channel Tasneem Ahmar and other speakers also spoke at the occasion.

Prominent Advocate Asima Jahangir said she seeks to facilitate behavioural change in the media houses by enabling more women participation in media and urged improved societal attitudes towards women.

She said that violence against women is a persistent problem occurring in every media organization, including electronic, print and advertising agencies. She further said that violence against women has been called “the most pervasive yet least recognised human rights abuse in our institutions.” “Gender violence occurs in both the public and private spheres,” she added.

She also expressed annoyance against glass ceiling, sexual harassment and stereotyping of women in the media.

She said that the media should not glorify the negative elements but should focus on positive segments of society.

“Parents of young women in media studies fear for their daughters’ reputation and honour if they work in any form of media because of the attitude adopted by men towards women in the media houses,” she said.

Asma said due to sexual harassment at workplaces many parents hesitate to send their daughters to media organisations in search of jobs.

“We live in a male dominant society, where women have been portrayed negatively,” she said. She also demanded maximum participation of women in political talk shows.

Fozia Shahid said the performance of women in media had improved as compared to their male counterparts. She added, “We need to change our behaviour towards women journalists.”

“Women have made enormous contribution to national politics and they should be given full credit for it,” she added.

Danish ambassador Ole E Moesby said that Pakistan has some extremely talented and inspiring female journalists who have made their mark and advocated gender-based issues throughout their journalistic services.

The report was a detailed assessment of women’s portrayal and representation in the media delineating the causes and potential solutions for the problems. The report was also launched simultaneously in Islamabad, Karachi and Peshawar..

Daily Times

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