Concern voiced over delay in NCSW chairperson’s appointment

On Wednesday, the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming expressed concern over the ongoing delay in appointing chairpersons at both the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women. Dr Nafisa Shah, who chairs the committee, emphasized that these vacancies were hampering the functioning and continuity of these statutory bodies.

She stressed that the appointments must be made without further delay, in accordance with the relevant legal framework, to allow the commissions to effectively carry out their roles in promoting and protecting women's rights.

The committee also highlighted issues like staff shortages, vacant sanctioned posts, inadequate facilities, pension benefits, and incentives for employees within the NCSW and other women's commissions. They argued that sufficient financial, human, and institutional resources were essential for the commissions to perform their duties effectively.

At a meeting held at Parliament House under her chairmanship, the committee heard briefings from the acting chairperson of the NCSW, as well as chairpersons of the provincial commissions, regarding their legal framework, mandate, performance, and operational challenges.

The acting NCSW chairperson explained that the NCSW, established under the National Commission on the Status of Women Act of 2012, is tasked with promoting and protecting women's rights, advancing gender equality, reviewing relevant laws and policies, monitoring their implementation, advising the government on reforms, conducting research and advocacy, and coordinating with both provincial commissions and other institutions.

Dr Shah cautioned against evaluating the NCSW solely on the basis of the number of studies, recommendations, and consultations it conducts, but instead advocated for a results-oriented approach, especially in legislative review, policy monitoring, and follow-up on recommendations.

To improve transparency and accountability, the committee proposed the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring mechanism for the NCSW to record its recommendations, the responses from ministries and divisions, and the status of implementation. They also suggested submitting an annual implementation report to the National Assembly or the committee itself for parliamentary oversight.

Moreover, they called for a structured coordination mechanism between the NCSW and provincial commissions, involving regular consultations, information-sharing, and joint actions on issues impacting women nationwide.

The Ministry of Human Rights was tasked with collaborating with the NCSW and provincial commissions to enhance their institutional, financial, and human-resource capacities, as well as improve coordination. The committee urged for transparent and time-bound mechanisms for receiving and following up on complaints about women's rights violations, greater public awareness of the commissions' mandates, and the establishment of measurable performance indicators.