ISLAMABAD — Women parliamentarians from Pakistan and Turkmenistan held a virtual meeting to discuss legislative cooperation, women’s rights and the role of female lawmakers in strengthening family values and inclusive policymaking.
The 9th meeting of the Working Council of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) of the National Assembly of Pakistan was chaired by WPC Secretary Dr. Shahida Rehmani and brought together female legislators from both countries to exchange experiences on gender-sensitive legislation and parliamentary engagement.
Participants from Pakistan included Dr. Shahida Rehmani, Shahida Begum, Syeda Shehla Raza, Munaza Hassan, Naeema Kishwar Khan and Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardhy Taimur.
The Turkmenistan delegation included Bayramgozel Myradova, chairman of the Committee on Science, Education, Culture and Youth Policy of the Turkmen parliament, along with Hatycha Mustakova, Mengli Diwanova, Jenet Owekova, Jeren Geldiyeva, Enejan Atayeva, Chemen Rejepova and Jahangul Myradova.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan Dr. Faryal Leghari and Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov also attended the meeting, highlighting the growing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.
Discussion on women’s participation in legislation
During the session, Pakistani lawmakers shared the institutional experience of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and briefed participants on its role in promoting women’s participation in legislative processes.
Officials explained that the caucus, established through a National Assembly resolution in 2008, serves as a cross-party platform that enables women legislators to collaborate on gender-responsive legislation and policy dialogue.
Participants were also briefed on the functioning of women’s parliamentary caucuses at both national and provincial levels in Pakistan.
Proposal for similar forum in Turkmenistan
During the discussion, Pakistani lawmakers proposed that Turkmenistan consider establishing a similar women’s parliamentary caucus to strengthen cooperation among female legislators and support gender-sensitive policymaking.
The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus also invited Turkmen women parliamentarians to visit Pakistan to observe the functioning of the caucus, particularly during the expected visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Pakistan.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants from both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration between women lawmakers and promoting women’s rights and family values through parliamentary initiatives.
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