PM for socio-economic empowerment of women
ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said that women being an important segment of the society have to be empowered economically and socially to play their due role for the socio-economic development of the country. The Prime Minister was talking to the Chairperson and members of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) here.
The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Women Development to complete all necessary formalities till March 8 to ensure administrative and financial autonomy to the National Commission on the Status of Women so that it can function independently as per its given mandate. 
He further asked the Ministry of Women Development to immediately coordinate with the Ministry of Law and Justice as well as other concerned Ministries and Organizations to make necessary amendments in the Ordinance under which the Commission was established to determine the independent status of the National Commission on the Status of Women.
The Prime Minister said that the Government is determined to fulfil all the public announcements made to protect and ensure the rights of women. 
The government he added remains committed to work for the welfare and betterment of the female population of the country since no country can progress and prosper without active participation of the women in all spheres of the national life.
Earlier, Ms Anis Haroon, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women apprised the Prime Minister of the difficulties and impediments that the Commission is facing to function in accordance with the mandate given to it. 
The Commission, she mentioned, has to be brought up to the level of international obligations so that it can play its due role for the emancipation of the women in the country.
She further said that the ordinance under which the Commission was established has to be amended in order to extend administrative and financial autonomy to the Commission to function independently.
She also stated that the complaints forwarded by the Commission to various organizations are not responded and rarely any action is taken.  The Commission, she concluded, does not have any technical support or staff to be able to work and all its members are working on voluntary basis.