RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) held a dissemination workshop on the key findings of the 4th gender parity report 2019-20.

According to the report, between 2019 and 2020, reported cases of rape decreased by 2.8pc, acid burning by 24pc while honour killings increased by 20pc.

The report was compiled to provide an update on key women-related indicators in six thematic areas across 36 districts in Punjab.

It presented gender dis-aggregated data analysis collected from over 1,000 public offices against more than 200 indicators across demographics, governance, health, education, economic participation and opportunities, justice and special initiatives introduced by the Punjab government.

The workshop aimed to disseminate findings of the report to key public sector and civil society stakeholders, and obtain their feedback and recommendations based on data to realise improvement in women’s lives.

In addition, public sector officials were consulted in order to realise gender-sensitive policy planning and budgeting across all sectors.

The report provided a comparative analysis using figures from the 2018 gender parity report to capture an accurate picture of trends in women’s status.

The report showed that the number of reported cases of violence against women (murder, attempted murder, rape, gang rape, honour killing, acid burning, beating, vani, custodial rape and hurt) increased by 0.96pc between 2018 and 2020 with rape reported most often and burning and vani least often.

Between 2019 and 2020, reported cases of rape decreased by 2.8pc, acid burning by 24pc and honour killings increased by 20pc. Of all violence cases decided in Punjab in 2020, only 5.4pc resulted in convictions. The number of help desks for women in police stations across Punjab increased by 21.9pc between 2018 and 2020.

Projections based on the 2017 population and housing census showed that Punjab had 117 million people in 2020 — 51pc men, 49pc women and 0.006pc transgender persons.

The population falls predominantly within the age bracket of 20-49 years. Around 4.5 million (51pc) men and 4.2 million (49pc) women were issued CNICs in 2020. CNICs issued to transgender persons decreased by 84pc from 2017 to 2020; 43 transgender persons were issued CNICs in Punjab in 2020.

Early childbearing age decreased by 2.6pc between 2014 and 2017-18.

The number of girl child birth registrations decreased by 31.5pc. The report stated that female voter registration increased by 10pc between 2017 and 2018. Male life expectancy in the province increased from 67.7 years in 2016 to 69.5 years in 2020 and female life expectancy from 66.9 years in 2016 to 68.3 years in 2020.

Between 2018 and 2020, the total fertility rate decreased from 2.8 to 2.5. The number of hospitals increased by 5.7pc between 2015 and 2019.

Qaiser Mahmood, PCSW divisional coordinator, moderated the workshop while Tilawat Hussain and Imran Javed Qureshi explained the mandate and role of PCSW.

More than 50 representatives of government and civil society organisations participated in the workshop.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2021