Quetta – A meaningful and impactful one-day training session was successfully held at the Committee Hall of the Balochistan Assembly, jointly organized by the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of the Balochistan Provincial Assembly and UN Women.

The session brought together a wide range of participants, including members of civil society, development organizations, female legislators, and officials from relevant institutions. The primary goal was to enhance understanding and practical skills related to parliamentary processes, legislation, oversight, accountability, and gender-responsive policymaking — contributing to inclusive and accountable governance in Balochistan.

The session was chaired by Ms. Ghazala Gola, Deputy Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly and Chairperson of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus. In her opening remarks, she emphasized that such initiatives strengthen women's political participation, build stronger connections with civil society, and ensure more representative legislation. She thanked UN Women for their ongoing support, stating that the partnership has significantly contributed to gender-equitable policymaking in the province.

Mr. Tahir Shah Kakar, Secretary of the Balochistan Assembly, provided an in-depth briefing on the legislative process, role of the Assembly, bill drafting and amendments, and the importance of parliamentary committees.

Minister for Education Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani appreciated the efforts of women legislators, emphasizing that continuous training sessions are crucial to highlighting their work and empowering the Women’s Caucus.

A dedicated Q&A session featured constructive suggestions from civil society representatives. Participants also received guidance on gender equality laws, policy frameworks, bill tracking, and practical tools for policy monitoring.

Ayesha Ayub Wadood, Head of UN Women’s Sub-Office Balochistan, also addressed the session, calling this partnership a “powerful opportunity to strengthen gender-sensitive governance and policymaking in the province.”

The event concluded with brief remarks from Shahida Rauf, MPA and Deputy Secretary of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, who thanked all participants and expressed hope that the session would serve as a foundation for sustained and meaningful engagement between parliament and the people.