Panel Discussion on Women’s Leadership, Voice and Political Participation.

April 21, 2016 CIVIL SOCIETY, CONFERENCES, NATIONAL, OUTREACH

The Australian High Commission in collaboration with National Assembly of Pakistan and PIPS organized a panel discussion on “Women’s Leadership, Voice and Political Participation” on April 21, 2016 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services PIPS. Attended by around 50 participants from civil society organizations and diplomatic community, the event began with introductory remarks by Ms. Kate Graham, First Secretary Development Cooperation, Australian High Commission and Ms. Yanthe Cornelissen, Coordination Specialist, followed by welcome address from Australian High Commissioner, Ms. Margaret Adamson.
Remarks by UN WOMEN Country Representative, Mr. Jamshed Kazi, also preceded the panel discussion, which was initiated by Honorable MNA, Ms. Bushra Gohar. During her talk she identified various hurdles faced by women MPs as well as women in general in exercising their political rights, as a number of women cannot vote freely. She also highlighted the plight of IDPs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa particularly the women children who have been facing challenges in rebuilding their lives in the wake of armed conflict.
On a statistical note the Acting Executive Director PIPS Mr Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka underscored that during last 10 months the contribution of women MPs at the National Parliament was around 60% as compared to men MPs. He also identified towards an evolving paradigm shift among women MPs from soft-issues to high-politics attributed to women MPs’ voice and participation in recent past. For example women leaders like Honorable Speaker Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, Ms. Rahila Hameed Khan Durrani, and Ms. Bushra Gohar have significantly contributed in the ongoing debate on security and conflict. He also emphasized that gradually from reserved seats there needs to be political consensus that parties should be bound to make women candidate compete on 30% general seats for direct election.
Honorable MNA/General Secretary Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), Ms. Shaista Pervez Malik, highlighted the role of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, which is a cross party venture, in bringing about change in the lives of women through effective legislation. Lamenting the hurdles which came in the way of the women protection bill in the province of Punjab, she appreciated the success of similar legislation in some other provinces in the country.
Honorable MNA/General Secretary Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) spoke on youth engagement. In this regard she underscored the contribution of the caucuses such as YPF and the Women Parliamentary Caucus, in bringing about legislation as well as shaping the policy making process at national as well as in provincial assemblies. An interactive questions and answers session followed the panel discussion, which ended with closing remarks by Australian High Commissioner, Ms. Margaret Adamson and UN WOMEN Country Representative, Mr. Jamshed Kazi.
In the end Mr Zaka presented vote of thanks on behalf of Ms Marriyum Aurangzeb, MNA and Convener SDGs Parliamentary Taskforce, as well as PIPS team to Australian High Commission, YPF and WPC for their support and participation.

On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.

Panel Discussion on Women’s Leadership, Voice and Political Participation.

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