Islamabad (GNP) : 9th Meeting of the Working Council of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) of the National Assembly of Pakistan was held virtually under the leadership of Secretary WPC, Dr. Shahida Rehmani.
The meeting brought together women parliamentarians from Pakistan and Turkmenistan to deliberate on the evolving role of women parliamentarians in national legislatures and to exchange legislative experiences related to the protection of women’s rights and the promotion of family values. From Pakistan, members of the Working Council of the Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) participated, including Dr. Shahida Rehmani, Secretary WPC; Ms. Shahida Begum, Treasurer WPC; Syeda Shehla Raza, MNA; Ms. Munaza Hassan, MNA; Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan, MNA; and Dr. Zarqa Suharwardhy Taimur, Senator. The Turkmenistan delegation comprised Ms. Bayramgozel Myradova, Chairman of the Committee on Science, Education, Culture and Youth Policy of the Parliament of Turkmenistan; Ms. Hatycha Mustakova, Member of the same Committee; Ms. Mengli Diwanova, Member of the Committee for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms; Ms. Jenet Owekova, Member of the Committee on Legality; Ms. Jeren Geldiyeva, Member of the Committee on Social Policy; Ms. Enejan Atayeva, Member of the Committee on International and Interparliamentary Relations; Ms. Chemen Rejepova, Member of the Committee on Work with Local Representative Authorities and Self-Government Bodies; and Ms. Jahangul Myradova, Specialist of the Committee for Environmental Protection, Use of Natural Resources and Agro-Industrial Complex of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan.
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Faryal Leghari, Ambassador of Pakistan, and Mr. Atadjan Movlamov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan, reflecting the growing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting, WPC shared its institutional experience and best practices in advancing women’s participation in parliamentary processes. Participants were briefed on the structure, mandate, and achievements of the WPC as well as the functioning of national and provincial women’s parliamentary caucuses, which serve as cross-party platforms for women legislators to promote gender-sensitive legislation and policy dialogue. The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of Pakistan was established in 2008 through a resolution of the National Assembly to enhance women’s participation in parliamentary affairs and strengthen gender-responsive legislation.
The Pakistani side also proposed that Turkmenistan consider establishing a Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in its parliament, noting that such a platform could help strengthen cooperation among women legislators and promote gender-sensitive policymaking.
The WPC further extended an invitation to the women parliamentarians of Turkmenistan to visit Pakistan and observe the working of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, particularly during the upcoming visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Pakistan.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation among women parliamentarians and advancing efforts for the protection of women’s rights and promotion of family values through parliamentary collaboration and legislative initiatives.
