PESHAWAR: Deputy Speaker KP Assembly Mehar Taj Roghani said on Sunday that sustainable peace is not possible in the region unless the half of the population of the country i.e. women practically contribute to it. It is imperative for them to step forward and play their active role for the cause of true peace and prosperity in the region.
She was addressing a seminar titled \’Women Leaders Building Peace Together\’ organized by Peace Education and Development Foundation (PEAD) in collaboration with Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) here at KP Assembly. On the occasion female Provincial Minister for minerals and labor Anisa Zaib Tahirkheli, women lawmakers Meraj Humayun, Amina Sardar, Neelam Toru, Uzma Khan, women district councilors Rabia Basri, Gul Nasreen, Najma Shaheen, PEAD Executive Director Sameena Imtiaz, NCA program coordinator Fariha and others were also present.
Dr. Mehar Taj further said that for the development of the country we should not limit our women to household stuff only rather they should be given the opportunity to explore the possibilities of working actively for socio-economic development of the country. Cultural norms are our identity and by respecting our cultural norms our women can still do a lot of remarkable things for the wellbeing of their communities.
\’Unfortunately political parties and legislative bodies has never given due consideration to the voice of women, due to which we are still not able to highlight their capabilities for the overall development of the area\’, she said adding it is the time to disown this perception that a female can\’t do anything rather we should give them the opportunities so they may exercise their capabilities and skills for the society. If we look at the history there are lot of female renowned icons who did remarkable jobs, but regretfully to say they are not highlighted via media and state machinery through textbooks.
Provincial minister Anisa Zeb said a network of parliamentarians and districts counselors irrespective of their affiliation with the political parties should be formed which may serve as a think tank for future decision making and legislation about women. We should bring them together and to strengthen their voice.
Female lawmaker Meraj Humayun was of the opinion that leadership skills are not limited to the gender, female can equally contribute as their men. Women should come forward and prove themselves on various forums. We are soldiers of peace and prosperity but at different fronts. So we should give required recognition to the women contribution.
She appreciated the efforts of the Women Peace Building Network and said we will try to include the suggestions and recommendations of the network in our future legislation.
On the occasion another female MPA Neelam Toru commented on the performance of commission and shared that the commission is a cosmetic body only. It is not yet as functional as it was desired, because of lack of support of the government and required legislation for it. There is no building, specific structure and that\’s why the performance is still not much visible. The commission required attention of the government so that it can be made truly functional for the betterment of status of women in the province.
In her opening remarks, PEAD Executive Director Sameena Imtiaz said that WPBN is opened for all women parliamentarian, district members and women from different walks of life at provincial and national level.
The major objective of forming this network, headed by Deputy Speaker Mahar Taj Roghan, is that women should contribute practically to the cause of peace, prosperity and harmony.
