Balochistan cabinet without women and minority voices
Editorial :
Another Balochistan cabinet has been formed without the representation of women and minorities. A 14-member provincial cabinet was sworn in the other day at Governor’s house Quetta. However, no woman or minority lawmaker was included in the Chief Minister Balochistan, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo led cabinet.
In the house of 65, the number of women legislators is 11 and minorities are 3 in Balochistan Assembly. Women continue to speak on important political, social, and law and order issues in the provincial assembly for the last three years. However, the male-dominated house is yet to go beyond lip service and accept the true representation of women.
Lack of gender parity slammed
Lack of gender parity and diversity has been slammed by rights activists and people belonging to various walks of life. It is not only the responsibility of only CM Bizenjo but rather the heads of political parties are also responsible in this regard.
Danesh Kumar was former chief minister Jam Kamal’s parliamentary secretary on minorities issues. However, Bizenjo led government has not included any women in the provincial cabinet and in the list of advisers. Roshan Khursheed Bharucha, Dr. Ruqia Hashmi and Rahila Durrani had served the women and cause better than their male colleagues in past assemblies.
All coalition partners decide to keep women away from the cabinet
Across the board, all coalition partners including the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf (PTI), Balochistan National Party (Awami) forwarded the names of male legislators. No political party recommended the name of a woman for a ministry or the position of an adviser.
Women that make more than 50 percent population of the province and country must be seen and heard. As far as the minorities are concerned, constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights to all. The inclusion of women and minorities lawmakers in the provincial cabinet would strengthen the government.
It is an admitted fact that a woman understands the sufferings of women segment of society better than men. The coalition partners in general and the ruling BAP leadership in specific should realize the importance and need of women in the provincial cabinet.
