Shrinking space of NGOs has deprived women of forums: Farhatullah Babar

Islamabad: The shrinking space of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the organized  labor force facing retreat has deprived women of forums to raise their voice against violence, discrimination. This was stated by former Senator Farhatullah Babar at a seminar organized in Islamabad in connection with international women’s day by Strengthening participatory Organization and Blue Veins. On this day let us call for ending siege of NGOs by the state to provide n opening to women to vent their grievances and suggest measures to alleviate their sufferings, he said. He said that there were structural impediments in the way of women emancipation. These impediments he said were, economic and political disempowerment, lack of education and skills and non implementation of international covenants and ILO conventions that Pakistan has signed and ratified and called for direct election to women seats in the Assemblies for their political empowerment. Farhatullah Babar said that the national and provincial commissions on status of women should be strengthened and empowered as tribunal to adjudicate wage and employment issues of women as well as strengthening of the women caucuses in the National and Provincial Assemblies. He also proposed linking transfer of federal resources to the provinces with the achievement of Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) relating to women education, health and skill development