Aurat Foundation in collaboration with Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) organized two study circles consecutively on February 26 -27, 2016 at NathiaGali with members National Assembly from different political parties including MQM, PTI, JI and PMAP and members of political parties’ wings. The study circles were organized to build cross party consensus among parliamentarians on issues that need urgent response for policy and legislation. The first study circle was conducted on ‘Health Issues of Women and Girls in Pakistan and its Impact’. Ms. Saliha Ramay, an activist and expert on violence against women issues, highlighted the women and girl’s health issues with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health. It was highlighted that women and girls sexual and reproductive health issues have been neglected and never been discussed. It is very important to generate a discourse on these issues within the ambit of health as during the CSW’s 59th session our government took a back foot when these issues were highlighted at global level.

The second study circle was conducted on the ‘Child Marriages Restraint (Amendment) Bill 2014 and Religious Perspective’. After the bill was recently rejected by the Senate committee upon Council of Islamic Ideology declaring it as un-Islamic and blasphemous, it was critical to discuss the bill. The study circle reviewed the bill once again under Islamic perspective to find out the alternative options to raise it in the Senate again. At the end of both study circles parliamentarians committed to put questions and Calling Attention Notices collectively beyond party position. WPC also committed to organize another study circle on both issues within assembly premises.