Visit to Balochistan

Call on to the Governor, Balochistan

The Chairperson along with her team called on Governor Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha on 24th Aug 2021, in Quetta. The Governor congratulated and appreciated the efforts of the Chairperson. He further remarked that no nation can progress until women are fully involved in all spheres of life. During the meeting, the Chairperson discussed issues related to women in the province and requested the Governor for his possible support in strengthening the women departments and establishment of the Women Commission at the Provincial level.

She further added that we are confident that our common vision to protect women and promote their Constitutional rights in the country would be shared by the Provincial Government with full support. The Governor responded with positive reassurance on the matter.

 

Call on to the Chief Minister Balochistan

The Chairperson along with her team called on Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan on 25th Aug 2021, in his office at Quetta. During the meeting, the matters of mutual interests were discussed in detail. The Chief Minister highlighted that this is the first time in the history of Balochistan government that a record-breaking increase of the budget is allocated for the Women's Development Department. He also added that Balochistan has established its first Girls Cadet College, in addition to the initiation of 17 new Girls Colleges. He informed that WDD had already advertised the position of Chair for the Women Commission and the position of members will soon follow. In addition to this, the Chief Minister indicated a special allocation of funds for women’s economic empowerment, in the upcoming fiscal year.

 

Visit to Benazir Bhutto Crisis Center for Women

The Chairperson along with her team visited the Women Crisis Center on 26th August 2021 in Quetta. During her visit, she was accompanied by the NCSW Members, Officers, and UN Women team. The Caretaker of the Center received the delegation and made a slide presentation on the working of its facilities. She informed that 25-30 women per month avail the assistance of the Center, however, no women were present in the center during the visit.

During the briefing, the Caretaker of the Center informed that the facility is presently working under the Social Welfare Department, and post-devolution their seniority was affected. She assured full support to take up the issue with the concerned authorities and departments. The Chairperson reminisced about the inauguration of this project in 2005 when she was the Federal Minister for Women Division, Social Welfare and Special Education.

 

Meeting with Vice-Chancellor SBKW Women University Balochistan

The Chairperson along with her team visited the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women's University. The Chairperson was briefed by Dr. Sajida Naureen, Vice-Chancellor SBK Women’s University about the institution. She informed that presently about 7000 students are enrolled in 27 faculties of the University, across three Campuses in Balochistan.

The briefing was attended by the Registrar, Controller of Examination, and other officials of SBKWU. In the meeting, the participants agreed on the collaboration between NCSW and SBK Women University and soon an MoU will be signed by the officials of both Institutions. Besides, the Chairperson along with the delegates visited various faculties to interact with the students and faculty to let them know the vision and mission of NCSW in a broader context and also to understand the importance of women empowerment.

She also requested the management of the university to develop a volunteer program for teaching and training of the women prisoners in Quetta Prison. She also pressed on the need to establish a Gender Studies Department in the University.

 

Meeting with Parliamentary Secretary WDD

The chairperson along with her team visited the office of Parliamentary Secretary for Women Development, Ms. Mahajabeen Sheran on 26th August 2021. The Additional Secretary WDD, Ms. Sadia Mehr made a slide presentation regarding a brief overview of the progress/initiatives taken by the WDD under PSDP Scheme 2021-22.

She also informed that WDD is leading in the province for collaborative events on awareness/implementation of pro-women laws. The Parliamentary Secretary Ms. Mahajabeen Sheran admired the interest shown by the NCSW team. The Chairperson highly appreciated the initiatives taken by WDD in Balochistan.

 

Engagement with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

The Chairperson along with her team held a meeting with representatives of CSO’s from Quetta on 26th August 2021 in Quetta.

Chairperson elaborated on the purpose of the visit to Balochsitan, which included input for the strategic plan and thematic areas of the Commission, activities planned for the CSW - 2021 on the theme, ‘Women and Climate Change - Impact, Challenges and Solutions’, commemorating 16 days activism at national and provincial levels, monitoring visits to Jail, Crisis Centre and Women University at Quetta. The representatives of CSOs provided their input for the strategic plan keeping in view the priority areas set for it.

 

Visit to Women Police Station

The chairperson along with her team visited the Women Police Station on 16th September 2021in Quetta. During her visit, she was accompanied by the NCSW members and Technical Advisor from UN Women. The delegation was received by Ms. Sheeba Shah (DIG). She briefed the Chairperson, and the delegation of UN women on the arrangements in the Women Police Station.

The delegation reviewed the progress in the projects under Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) & International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The Chairperson observed the projects underway with the support of donor organizations. also deliberated upon the need for capacity building for law enforcement agencies.

 

Ombudsperson Meeting at Quetta

The National Conference of Ombudspersons for protection against harassment of women at the workplace was held on 15th Sept 2021 at Quetta, Chairperson NCSW participated in the conference. The purpose of the National Conference of Ombudsperson was to bring together ombudsperson across the Flag of Pakistan & it was agreed by all stakeholders to build synergies for effective implementation of the law to ensure that survivors can access quality & timely justice.

NCSW in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan has a strong partnership with the Office of the Ombudspersons for effective implementation of the law, which will be instrumental in bringing more women into the workforce, retaining them, helping them excel, and advance in their careers.