Women’s Parliamentary Caucus

National Consultation Reflecting on the

Implementation Issues and Challenges of Women Protection Laws in Pakistan

(Thursday, 9th February, 2017)

Inaugural Session

9:00 amParticipants to arrive at PIPS

9:00 – 9:10 amRegistration

9:10 – 9:15 amParticipants to be seated

9:15 – 9:20 amRecitation of verses from the Holy Quran

9:20 – 9:30 amWelcome address by MNA Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Patron

Women’s Parliamentary Caucus/ Shaista Pervaiz Malik,

Secretary WPC (TBA)

9:30 – 9:40 amAddress of Mr. John O’Brien, Country Representative, Trocaire

9:40 – 9:55Key Note address by Ms. Marriyum Aurengzeb, Minister of

State for Information

9:55 – 10:05 amSetting the Stage – Ms. Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson, National Commission on Status of Women

10:05 – 10:15 Address of the Secretary Ministry of Human Rights, Ms. Rabiya Javeri Agha

10:15 - 10:30 amTea Break

10:30 – 12:00Plenary I

“Challenges in implementation of Harassment at Workplace Act 2010;”Perspectives from the National and Provincial Women Caucuses and Members Provincial Assemblies:

Questions to be addressed:

  • Why do the benefits of Harassment at Workplace Act 2010 do not reach them?
  • What remain internal and external factors impeding women’s protection against harassment, violence and their access to justice?
  • Who is responsible and what measures need to be taken to improve the drafting process?

10:30 – 10:40 Overview of Implementation of Harassment at Worplace Law 2010 _ APresentation by Ms. Maliha Saeed

10:40 – 11:15Panel Discussion:

  1. MPA Ms. Meraj Humanyun, Secretary General KPK Provincial Parliamentary Caucus
  2. Representative of PIA
  3. Representative from Media
  4. Representative of NADRA
  5. Representative of Higher Education
  6. Representative from Hospital

12:00 – 12:30Q & A

12:30 – 1:15 pmLUNCH Break

1:15 – 2:30 pmPlenary II

Issues and gaps that challenge the implementation of pro-women legal frameworks -Perspectives fromPolice, Prosecution, and Medico-Legal that impede women’s expeditious access to Justice”

Panel Discussion:

Panelists:

  1. Chairpersons Punjab and KPK Women’s Parliamentary Caucuses
  2. DG National Police Bureau
  3. DIG/SSP participating from each province
  4. Representative from Prosecutor General’s Office from provinces
  5. Zia Awan Human Rights Defender/Expert/Lawyer

Questions to be addressed:

  • What remain internal and external factors impeding elimination of violence against women and their access to justice? What are the inadequacies within the respective relevant mechanisms, and why?
  • Which mechanisms need to be put in place to ensure that the state fulfils its role in ensuring rule of law and implementation, and what measures need to be taken to improve these mechanisms?

2:30 – 2:45pm Q & A

2:45 – 3:00 pmTea Break

3:00 – 4:00pmPlenary III

“Role of Mindsets in Law Enforcement and lack of awareness in impeding implementation of Laws and Policies;”Insights and Perspectives of Women Commissions and Civil Society

Chair: Hon. Ms. Raheela Durrani, Speaker Balochistan Assembly

Discussants:

  1. MPA Sayra Shahlini, President Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Sindh
  2. Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson, National Commission on Status of Women
  3. Zia Awan Human Rights Defender/Expert/Lawyer
  4. Dr. Farzana Bari, Chairperson Gender Studies Department, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad
  5. Dr. Riffat Haq, Chairperson Gender Studies Department, Allama Iqbal Open University

Questions to be addressed

  • Which pro-women laws are posing challenge in implementation and why?
  • Which laws, policies and mechanisms exist in Pakistan in comparison to the ones in the region that have proved to be effective for women’s empowerment and why?
  • Which measures need to be taken for effective implementation of women protection laws?

4:00 – 5:00pmCONCLUDING SESSION

4:00 – 4:15pmPresentation on the Key Issues and Recommendations as emerged from the Conference Deliberations _ Member of the WPC Working Council

4:15 –4:35pmConcluding address of Mr. Ashtar Ausaf Ali, Attorney General of Pakistan (TBA)

4:35 – 4:45pmVote of thanks by the Secretary WPC/ Member Working Council WPC

4:45 – 5:30pmHi Tea

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