Commission President Sumira Shams highlights the importance of accurate and timely documentation for effective policy formulation
Dr. Sumira Shams, Chairperson, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women. Photo: facebook.com/kpcsw.gov.pk/
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women reviewed various laws, policy initiatives and proposed recommendations, including incorporating inheritance rights into policy, ensuring implementation of existing laws, eliminating dowry practices and integrating certain traditional financial practices into educational curricula.
A key stakeholder consultation on the Women Empowerment Policy 2026-2030 was held in Peshawar on Wednesday under the auspices of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women.
The session brought together Dr. Sumira Shams, president of the Commission; AMP Sobia Shahid; Zainab Qaiser Khan, Head of UN Women Sub-Office in KP; and representatives of the departments of Information, NADRA, Labor and Social Welfare, as well as other government institutions and civil society organizations.
The workshop reviewed various laws and policy initiatives, including the KP Women’s Property Rights Enforcement Act 2019, revisions to the Women’s Empowerment Policy, gender mainstreaming in the KP Climate Change Policy 2022, gender analysis reports for education and health (2024), strict enforcement of anti-harassment laws, anti-child marriage measures, and funding and implementation strategies of the Women’s Empowerment Policy. Women.
In her speech, Dr Sumira emphasized that the previous KP Women Empowerment Policy had expired, making it imperative to prepare a new policy that addresses the existing gaps. She highlighted the need for support from public representatives and institutions to improve women’s rights, legislation, implementation and participation in various sectors. He also highlighted the importance of accurate and timely documentation for effective policy formulation.
Gender Specialist Syeda Nadrat from the Department of Social Welfare gave a detailed briefing on the major developments and challenges in women empowerment. He noted that despite existing laws, implementation had been delayed due to multiple factors. It also highlighted a significant literacy gap in the province: male literacy ranges between 64 and 66 per cent, compared to just 37 per cent among women.
The KP Women Commission concluded the session by stating that a comprehensive implementation plan of the Women Empowerment Policy 2026-30 will be finalized soon to ensure effective implementation and monitoring.
