Message from Secretary Women's Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) of the National Assembly of Pakistan, MNA Dr. Shahida Rehmani on the advent of the New Year. #2025newyear

"This International Women’s Day, the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus reaffirms its commitment to gender equality, women's rights, and inclusive progress. Let’s Accelerate Action by strengthening laws, expanding opportunities, and ensuring women's voices are heard at every level.

Ms. Samina Nazir, Executive Director of PODA Pakistan, called on Dr. Shahida Rehmani, MNA, and Secretary of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), at the Parliament House today. Dr. Shahida Rehmani extended a warm welcome to the delegation and commended PODA’s dedication to advancing women’s rights. Ms. Rana Ansar, MNA, highlighted the critical need to establish a uniform legal age of consent for marriage at 18 years and emphasized that such reforms are essential for safeguarding the mental and physical well-being of girls and ensuring their uninterrupted access to compulsory education. Ms. Sameena Nazir emphasized PODA’s focus on legislative reforms in Pakistan to establish 18 years as the minimum age of consent for marriage. Ms. Sameena Nazir commended the WPC’s significant legislative achievements aimed at improving the socio-economic and political conditions of women and children. She emphasized that the WPC’s work reflects a strong commitment to advancing gender equity and securing the well-being of future generations. @ShahidaRehmani @ranaansar26 @PodaPakistan @appcsocialmedia

ISLAMABAD, Dec 31 (APP):Secretary of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), Dr. Shahida Rehmani here on Tuesday extend heartfelt New Year greetings to the people of Pakistan and global community. #drshahida #womenparliamentary #newyear #NewYear2025

Honored to share this heartfelt tribute by Hon. Dr. Zainab Gimba, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, to Benazir Bhutto on her martyrdom anniversary. A global icon whose legacy continues to inspire women leaders worldwide. #SalaamBenazir @CPA_Secretariat

سیکرٹری ویمنز پارلیمانی کاکس و رکن قومی اسمبلی ڈاکٹر سیدہ شاہدہ رحمانی کا دختر مشرق، شہید محترمہ بینظیر بھٹو کو ان کی 17 ویں برسی کے موقع پر خراج عقیدت شہید محترمہ بینظیر بھٹو کا جمہوریت، انسانی حقوق اور خواتین کی خودمختاری کے لیے غیر متزلزل عزم نسل در نسل تحریک کا باعث بنتا رہے گا۔ انہوں نے صدر پاکستان محترم آصف علی زرداری، چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری، خاتون اوّل محترمہ آصفہ بھٹو زرداری، اور صدر پیپلز پارٹی شعبہ خواتین محترمہ فریال تالپور صاحبہ کی ثابت قدم قیادت کو سراہا، جو شہید محترمہ بینظیر بھٹو کے ترقی پسند اور جامع پاکستان کے وژن کو آگے بڑھا رہے ہیں۔ ڈاکٹر شاہدہ رحمانی نے پارٹی کے اس عزم کی تجدید کی کہ وہ شہید بینظیر بھٹو کے نظریات کو برقرار رکھتے ہوئے ایسی معاشرت کے قیام کے لیے کوشاں ہیں جہاں جمہوریت پروان چڑھے اور خواتین کے حقوق کا تحفظ اور فروغ ہو۔ ڈاکٹر سیدہ شاہدہ رحمانی نے تمام پاکستانیوں سے اپیل کی کہ بینظیر بھٹو کے نظریات کی پیروی کرتے ہوئے ایک پُرامن، جمہوری، اور خوشحال قوم کی تعمیر کے لیے مل کر کام کریں۔ شہید محترمہ بینظیر بھٹو کو خراجِ عقیدت پیش کرنے کے لیے "سلامِ بینظیر" کا خصوصی شمارہ شائع کیا گیا ہے۔ @ShahidaRehmani @wpc_pak

The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) today hosted a National Meet, under the theme "Poverty Has a Woman’s Face: Gender-Sensitive Legislature to Advance Gender Equality and End Poverty", as part of the 18th Speakers’ Conference, today. This event gathered distinguished parliamentarians, policymakers, and development leaders to discuss the urgent need for gender-responsive policymaking to address poverty, which disproportionately affects women in #Pakistan. Honorable Secretary WPC/MNA Dr. Shahida Rehmani, during her welcome remarks, stated, "Legislation is not merely the crafting of laws; it is the architecture of justice. By enacting and implementing gender-sensitive policies, we can transform aspirations into achievements, ensuring that poverty no longer bears a woman’s face." @wpc_pak #WPC @PTVNewsOfficial @ShahidaRehmani @RadioPakistan @appcsocialmedia

MNA Dr. Nafisa Shah delivered a keynote address, during the National Meet: "Poverty Has a Woman’s Face: Gender-Sensitive Legislature to Advance Gender Equality and End Poverty" organized by WPC, in which she provided an in-depth analysis of poverty’s multidimensional nature and the ways it disproportionately impacts women. Dr. Nafisa Shah highlighted that six out of ten of the world’s poorest people are women, making poverty a deeply gendered issue. She emphasized that women’s roles as caretakers and family anchors make them central to addressing poverty’s root causes. She further noted that Pakistan faces a poverty rate of 40% based on the $3.20/day threshold, with rural and underserved regions, particularly in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh, suffering the most. Furthermore, she urged a shift from social protection initiatives to addressing social injustices and disparities. She emphasized the importance of grassroots-level data collection, gender-responsive budgeting, and intersectional approaches to map and tackle inequality in #Pakistan. @wpc_pak @ShahNafisa @PTVNewsOfficial @RadioPakistan @appcsocialmedia

The National Meet: "Poverty Has a Woman’s Face: Gender-Sensitive Legislature to Advance Gender Equality and End Poverty" organized by WPC, showcased the Women’s and Girls’ Manifesto, a strategic roadmap developed by the WPC in collaboration with UN Women. This manifesto outlines actionable priorities, including increased women’s representation in leadership roles, targeted economic support for women entrepreneurs, and gender-inclusive solutions to climate challenges. Hon. MNAs and MPAs emphasized the need for legislative implementation, economic empowerment, and social reforms to advance women's rights in Pakistan. @wpc_pak #WPC @PTVNewsOfficial @ShahidaRehmani @RadioPakistan @appcsocialmedia

During the National Meet: "Poverty Has a Woman’s Face: Gender-Sensitive Legislature to Advance Gender Equality and End Poverty" organized by WPC as part of the 18th Speakers’ Conference, Hon. MNA Shehla Raza underscored the importance of enforcing laws alongside legislation. She highlighted critical issues such as equal pay, the establishment of daycare centers to support women’s development, and the protection of property rights for women. Hon. MNA Ms. Asia Naz Tanoli emphasized education as a powerful tool for women’s economic empowerment. She advocated for incorporating social and moral values, inheritance rights, dowry issues, and the importance of women’s respect into the national curriculum. Hon. MNA Ms. Sofia Saeed Shah called attention to the influential role of media in shaping public perceptions. She proposed including the CNIC numbers of brides and grooms on marriage contracts (Nikahnama) to address the issue of child marriage effectively. @wpc_pak #WPC @PTVNewsOfficial @ShahidaRehmani @RadioPakistan @appcsocialmedia @AsiaTanoli

During the National Meet: "Poverty Has a Woman’s Face: Gender-Sensitive Legislature to Advance Gender Equality and End Poverty" organized by WPC as part of the 18th Speakers’ Conference. Hon. MPA Ms. Ishrat Ashraf, and Convener of the Punjab Women’s Parliamentary Caucus emphasized the need for economic empowerment as a precursor to achieving broader human rights for women. She called for collaborative efforts among parliamentary caucuses. Hon. MPAs highlighted the pivotal role of mothers in promoting gender equality & noted that societal norms often pressure women to relinquish their property rights. Hon. MPA, Ms. Kaneez Fatima stressed that women are not demanding undue privileges but are seeking the rights already granted to them by the Quran and Sunnah. @wpc_pak #WPC @PTVNewsOfficial @ShahidaRehmani @RadioPakistan @appcsocialmedia

During the National Meet: "Poverty Has a Woman’s Face: Gender-Sensitive Legislature to Advance Gender Equality and End Poverty" organized by WPC as part of the 18th Speakers’ Conference. Hon. MPA Ms. Rahila recommended allocating funds for women’s projects and proposed the establishment of committees at federal and provincial levels to collaborate effectively. Additionally, she stressed the need for women legislators to deliberate on budgetary priorities several months before the budget is finalized and called for transparency in past allocations for women's development. Hon. MPA Ms. Tanzila Umi Habiba shared progress from Sindh, where legislators are actively working for women’s development. She highlighted the Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO), which provides interest-free loans with a 90% repayment rate, and noted that 200,000 houses have been constructed and registered in women’s names under government initiatives. Hon. MPA Taqqadus Gilani emphasized the necessity of financial education and empowerment for women. She reiterated that women are simply seeking the rights already granted to them by Islam. @wpc_pak #WPC @PTVNewsOfficial @ShahidaRehmani @RadioPakistan @appcsocialmedia

The National Meet: "Poverty Has a Woman’s Face: Gender-Sensitive Legislature to Advance Gender Equality and End Poverty" organized by WPC as part of the 18th Speakers’ Conference concluded with a collective commitment to advancing women’s rights through concerted legislative and social efforts. The event concluded with a collective commitment by all stakeholders to champion the principles of gender equality and to ensure the eradication of poverty through sustained, inclusive, and actionable policy measures. @wpc_pak #WPC @PTVNewsOfficial @ShahidaRehmani @RadioPakistan @appcsocialmedia

The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) warmly welcomed a distinguished delegation from the Saudi Shura Council, today. The delegation included prominent members Dr. Aisha bint Hassan Zekri, Dr. Abdullah bin Saad Al-Wiqdani, and Dr. Muidha bint Muidh Al-Ghamdi. During the meeting, the delegation engaged in meaningful discussions with members of the Caucus on issues of mutual interest, particularly the advancement of women’s empowerment and gender-sensitive legislative practices. Dr. Shahida Rehmani highlighted the pivotal role of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in advancing gender-inclusive policies in Pakistan. She shared the Caucus’s recent achievements and future plans for empowering women across the country. The visit also included a comprehensive tour of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Secretariat, showcasing its ongoing projects and legislative initiatives. Both sides expressed a strong desire to continue this collaboration and explore further avenues for knowledge exchange and mutual learning. @ShahidaRehmani @ShuraCouncil_SA @wpc_pak @SyedaShehlaRaza @sabheenghoury @SeharKamran @DrShaziaAslam @ShahidaAkhtrMNA @aasia_ishaque

رکن قومی اسمبلی آسیہ ناز تنولی کا وومنز پارلمانی کاکس (ڈبلیو پی سی) کے زیر اہتمام پاکستان میں پہلی منعقد ہونے والی دو روزہ انٹرنیشنل وویمن پارلیمنٹیرین کامن ویلتھ ورک شاپ کے موقع پر پیغام۔ @NAofPakistan @appcsocialmedia @PTVNewsOfficial

Chairperson of CWP, Ms. Zainab Gimba, along with the foreign parliamentarians & participants of the two-day international workshop on "Advancing Gender Equality in Legislation," were given a comprehensive tour of the Parliament of Pakistan and the National Assembly Hall.

Hon. Chairperson of the CWP, Ms. Zainab Gimba, along with Hon. MP Ms. Lakmali Kanchana Hemachandra (Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka), Hon. MP Ms. Chamindranee Bandara Kiriella (Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka), and Hon. MP Ms. Asma Rasheed (Member of the People’s Majlis of Maldives), extended praise to the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) and the women parliamentarians of Pakistan on the conclusion of the two-day international workshop titled "Advancing Gender Equality in Legislation: A Workshop on Gender-Sensitive Legislative Drafting." The workshop was held under the auspices of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of the National Assembly of Pakistan. @wpc_pak @CWP_Int @zgimba @ParliamentLK @mvpeoplesmajlis @ShahidaRehmani

Treasurer of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), MNA Shahida Begum, lauded the participants of the two-day int’l workshop "Advancing Gender Equality in Legislation: A Workshop on Gender-Sensitive Legislative Drafting", for their steadfast dedication to gender equality and for their advocacy of gender-sensitive legislation. @ShahidaAkhtrMNA @wpc_pak @CWP_Int @appcsocialmedia

Secretary of the WPC, MNA Dr. Shahida Rehmani, and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), Ms. Zainab Gimba, presented shields to all participants of the two-day int'l "Advancing Gender Equality in Legislation: A Workshop on Gender-Sensitive Legislative Drafting", recognizing their crucial input during the two-day workshop. @ShahidaRehmani @zgimba @wpc_pak @CWP_Int @SyedaShehlaRaza @sharmilafaruqi @ParliamentLK @mvpeoplesmajlis @appcsocialmedia

وویمن پارلیمنٹری کاکس کے زیر اہتمام انٹرنیشنل کامن ویلتھ وویمن پارلیمنٹیرین کی ورک شاپ اختتام پذیر۔ اختتامی تقریب سے سیکرٹری وویمن پارلیمنٹری کاکس محترمہ شاہدہ رحمانی اور دیگر مندوب نے خطاب کیا۔ محترمہ شاہدہ رحمانی نے دو روزہ انٹرنیشنل کامن ویلتھ وویمن پارلیمنٹیرین ورک شاپ کے شرکاء کا شکریہ ادا کیا۔ دو روزہ انٹرنیشنل کامن ویلتھ ورک شاپ کے دور رس نتائج مرتب ہونگے، شاہدہ رحمانی دو روزہ انٹرنیشنل وویمن پارلیمنٹیرین ورک شاپ میں خواتین کو درپیش مسائل پر سیرحاصل بحث کی گئی، سیکرٹری وویمن کاکس۔ دو روز کانفرنس میں خواتین کے حقوق کے تحفظ اور ان کو درپیش مسائل کے حل کا جائزہ لینےکا موقع ملا، سیکرٹری وویمن کاکس ورکشاپ کے شرکاء نے وزڈم ایکسپیرینس اور نالج شیر کیا اور اس ورک شاپ کو کامیاب بنانے میں تعاون کیا، شاہدہ رحمانی وویمن پارلیمنٹری کاکس نے پارلیمان میں خواتین کےحقوق سے متعلق اہم قانون سازی کی ہے، شاہدہ رحمانی وویمن کاکس خواتین کےحقوق کیلئےکوشاں پے، شاہدہ رحمانی خواتین کو قومی دھارے میں لائے بغیر ترقی اورخوشحالی کا خواب شرمندہ تعبیر نہیں ہو سکتا،شاہدہ رحمانی اختتامی تقریب سے ڈپٹی سپیکر بلوچستان غزالہ گولو صاحبہ نے اپنے خیالات کا اظہار کیا۔ ڈپٹی اسپیکر نے سیکرٹری ڈبلیو پی سی شاہدہ رحمانی کی کامیاب کانفرنس کے انعقاد پر مبارکباد دی۔ خواتین کے مسائل کے حل کیلئے سیکرٹری وویمن کاکس شاہدہ رحمانی کی کاوشیں قابل ستائش ہیں، ڈپٹی اسپیکر بلوچستان اسمبلی ڈپٹی اسپیکر بلوچستان اسمبلی نے ورک شاپ میں تمام مندوبین کے تاثرات کو سراہا۔ چیئر پرسن زینب گمبہ نے پاکستان میں کامن ویلتھ وویمن پارلیمنٹیرین کی پہلی ورک شاپ کے انعقاد کو سراہا۔ قومی اسمبلی کی ڈبلیو پی سی کا خواتین کے حقوق سے متعلق اقدامات قابل ستائش ہیں، چیئر پرسن سی ڈبلیو پی زینب گمبہ تمام صوبائی اسمبلیوں میں خواتین سے متعلق کاکسسز کا قیام ایک انقلابی قدم، زینب گمبہ زینب گمبہ نے خواتین اراکین پارلیمان کی خدمات کو خراج تحسین پیش کیا۔ چیئرپرسن محترمہ زینب گمبہ نے دیگر ممالک کو بھی پاکستان کی وویمن پارلیمنٹری کاکس کے طرز کے کاکسسز تشکیل دینے کی ضرورت پر زور دیا۔ کانفرنس میں اراکین قومی اسمبلی سیدہ شہلا رضا، شائستہ پرویز ملک، آسیہ ناز تنولی اور شاہدہ بیگم نے شرکت کی۔ اراکین قومی اسمبلی فراح ناز اکبر، شرمیلہ صاحبہ فاروقی ہشام سمیت سینٹر سعدیہ عباسی بھی ورک شاپ میں شریک ہوئیں کانفرنس کے شرکاء نے قومی اسمبلی ہال کا دورہ بھی کیا۔ @wpc_pak @CWP_Int @ShahidaRehmani @sharmilafaruqi @AsiaTanoli @shaistapervaiz @SyedaShehlaRaza #wpc