Aurat Foundation’s Aawaz - Voice and Accountability Program, in collaboration with the Government of Punjab and Action-Aid Pakistan, organized a provincial consultation, titled ‘Outlining the Ways for formation of Provincial Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) in Punjab’ on December 17, 2012, at Hospitality Inn Hotel, Lahore.

Ms Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson NCSW, chaired the consultation, and Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Advisor to CM Punjab, was the Guest of Honor.  The panelist included       Justic (R) Nasira Javaid Iqbal, Mr Sajjad Hyder, Director Department of Women Development, Ms Ambreen Fatima, Action Aid, and Ms Nasreen Zehra, Resident Director AF. Ms Mumtaz Mughal from Awaz programme moderated the consultation.

Addressing the meeting, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minster said that Punjab government is seriously working to protect the women’s rights, and taking different steps to curb the violence against women.  Ms Khawar Mumtaz, newly appointed Chairperson of NCSW, while addressing the meeting said that the Provincial Commission on the Status of Women must be set up at the earliest so that women’s rights are heard in provinces.