ISLAMABAD: In an initiative aimed at advancing women’s rights and fostering an inclusive political environment, the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) of the 16th National Assembly is set to host two workshops starting from Sunday (today).

Under the leadership of WPC Secretary Dr Shahida Rehmani, the workshops titled ‘Thought Leadership Workshop’ and ‘Digital Democracy Workshop’ will be held on Dec 1 and 2, respectively, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

These workshops are a vital part of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, which is a call to action for the protection and empowerment of women worldwide. These workshops will address critical issues such as ending gender-based violence, ensuring women’s physical, social, legal and online safety, and combating all forms of harassment.

The workshops are designed to facilitate a powerful dialogue and equip participants with the skills, knowledge and tools needed for identifying, sensitising and tackling women-related issues through informed-legislation and promote and uphold digital democracy.

Secretary of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Dr Shahida Rehmani will deliver the keynote addresses, outlining the core objectives of the workshops.

She will emphasise the importance of empowering women members of the National Assembly to ensure robust women participation in Pakistan’s upcoming general elections. Additionally, she will underscore the need for ethical parliamentary practices, enhanced digital literacy to counter technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and crucially, the development of skills in managing media and social media narratives to tackle the growing menace of misinformation, fake news and propaganda.

In addition, a panel of speakers, including renowned journalists, veteran media personalities, social media experts and key societal figures will engage in thought-provoking discussions and interactive sessions to provide valuable insights on these pressing issues.

This collaborative effort is a significant step forward in empowering women, particularly within the political sphere, to create a safer, more equitable society for all.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2024