Sindh Commission on Status of Women Updates
The Women Action Forum has demanded activation of the Sindh Commission on Status of Women without further delay, as the Sindh Assembly has already legislated on setting up the Commission since April 2015, but the body has yet to be made operational.
The government notified the setting up of the Commission in May 2017. Under the notification, only 19 days were given to complete the setup. However, even after 27 months, the law could not be implemented.
According to the law, the Commission will be able to review the government’s policies on women rights and ensure equal opportunities in terms of political participation and electoral representation as well as women empowerment.
The Commission would have the authority to recommend amendments to existing laws. It will also protect women from victimization besides helping victims.
Pointing out that the women development ministry’s portfolio is already with the Chief Minister, it was questioned why the government could not find a competent woman to head the department. It was claimed that the Chief Minister wanted to amend the existing law owing to which the implementation is being delayed.
Similar commissions were efficiently performing in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
On June 21, Sindh High Court also ordered the Sindh government to make the commission functional, giving a month’s time to the latter for submission of the compliance report. The Sindh High Court had warned of contempt proceedings for non-compliance.
