Terrorism, sabotage have no gender yet their repercussions are predominantly borne by women and children in face of forced migrations: National Assembly Speaker

Islamabad, February 21, 2014 (PPI-OT): Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that democracy is the vanguard of the rights of the oppressed and strengthening democratic values and institutions in Pakistan would ensure upholding of rights of the marginalized and underprivileged segments of the society. He said this while talking to a group of Women Legislators from United Kingdom, Afghanistan and Pakistan who called on him in Parliament House, this evening.

The UK delegation was led by Baroness D’Souza, Lord Speaker of the House of Lords whereas; the Afghan delegation was led by Dr. Golalai Nur Safi, Member of Wolesi Jirga. Dr. Fehmida Mirza, former Speaker and incumbent Patron (WPC) and Mrs. Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Secretary General (WPC) were also present on the occasion.

He said that dialogue between parliamentarians of UK, Pakistan and Afghanistan will facilitate exchange of views and critical information, national and international collaboration as well as institutionalized gender concerns and legislation. The Speaker said that the parliamentarians across the borders can play a pro-active role for peace-building and conflict resolutions, as they are the harbingers of change in the social and political life of any nation.

The Speaker said that Terrorism and Sabotage have no gender yet their repercussions are predominantly borne by women and children in face of forced migrations, displacements and consequent vulnerability. He called upon the British parliamentarians to ensure re-devising the funding priorities of their government in these critical areas to the poorest of the poor of our societies which will not only help counter illiteracy and improve health indicators, but also facilitate the de-radicalization of this region.

Apprising the Parliamentarians, the Speaker said that a task force on MDGs has been constituted to have the firsthand information and state of socio-economic development with the stakeholders and provincial governments after the post 18th Amendment scenario. He said that the monitoring and evaluation systems of funds dispensation may also be critically scrutinized by the parliamentarians to expedite the pace of work and commitments in these areas.

The visiting Parliamentarians while acknowledging the current dialogue said that exchange of views and experiences had helped them to discuss the challenges, opportunities and issues within the region’s peculiar needs and concerns. They said that women in the region were the sufferers. They agreed for continuation of the dialogue for forging solutions for the issues confronting the women and children in the region.

For more information, contact:
Karamat Hussain Niazi
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Parliament House, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 922 1082 -83
Fax: +9251 922 1106