ISLAMABAD - In order to discuss the role and responsibilities of the government, political parties, media, lawyers and civil society in ensuring women’s right to vote in coming general elections, Aurat Foundation organised a focussed group discussion Wednesday.
The purpose of the focus group discussion was to outline the role and responsibility of all stakeholders and to form a collaborative strategy on how to help women practice their right to vote in Pakistan. The participants included political party members of PML-N and PML (HK), local and international NGO’s, Ministry of Finance representative and a lawyer.
Some participants were of the view that there are various laws and international commitments which ensure women’s right to vote, however these are not implemented due to lack of awareness. The importance of counselors and media was highlighted, in raising awareness and motivating women to vote.
The need for additional laws was also highlighted, particularly one through which an election be considered void if there is less that 10 percent votes cast by women. The role of Election Commission of Pakistan in ensuring a transparent election process, and providing gender disaggregated data was stressed. Women’s mobility due to cultural and financial factors was discussed, and one suggestion for this was that there should be an increase in polling stations so that women can reach them easily.
The participants recommended: ECP should maintain gender disaggregated data of voters, declare 10 per cent women’s vote mandatory, prepares reliable / accessible mechanism for updating/ maintaining electoral roll, ensure that transparency - observers have access to polling and results, hold consultation with political parties ECP prepares binding Code of Conduct to a peaceful election process, put penalties for violence or rigging, in law or under ECP, ensure fresh legal reforms process in the parliament harmonize the primary  election reforms with the post- 18th Amendment scenario.
The FGD was a part of Aurat Foundation’s project ‘Gender-based Violence Advocacy and Capacity Building’ funded by Trocaire. The detailed strategy and recommendations will be shared with relevant stakeholders, and a follow-up meeting will be held in 2013.