Minister for Women’s Development, Government of Balochistan Mir Izhar Khan Khosa, visited Aurat Foundation’s Quetta office on March 4, 2014. Mr Haroon Dawood, Resident Director Aurat Foundation, Quetta, welcomed the Minister and briefed him about the goal and objectives of Aurat Foundation’s Gender Equity Programme (GEP).
Ms Saima Javaid, National Manager, MER, Aurat Foundation, shared following agenda points / demands with the minister:

1. Formation of advisory committee for Ministry of Women Development;
2. Inclusion of women parliamentarians in provincial cabinet;
3. Implementation of SOPs of Dar-Ul-Aman;
4. Establishment of Crisis Center and Dar-Ul-Aman in same premises to strengthen seamless service for the help of GBV survivors;
5. Sharing and consultation with relevant stake holders on women related resolution and bill before presenting on assembly floor;
6. Implementation and display of code of conduct of ‘The Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010’ in government departments all over Balochistan;
7. Formation of Provincial Commission on the Status of Women in Balochistan;
8. Discussion on the possibility of GEP’s non-competitive grants with Women’s Development Department (WDD);
9. Celebrating 8th March, the International Women’s Day, with women and men parliamentarians of Balochistan in provincial assembly building.

Responding to these demands, Mir Izhar Khan Khosa said that he would try his level best for the development of women in Balochistan, and for this the ministry would keep close coordination with the Aurat Foundation. He also gave commitments for introducing policies for women’s empowerment in Balochistan.
Mr Allauddin Khilji, Mr Amir Ali, Mr Lal Muhammad and Ms Fatima Tahir, from Aurat Foundation, were also present in the meeting.