LocationsEU, UN Women, and UNDP support KP assembly in strengthening leadership capacities of women legislators
September 8, 2025
Peshawar, 3 September 2025: In partnership with the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and with technical support from the European Union-funded Pakistan Women Leaders (PWL) Project, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) concluded a two-day orientation session for newly inducted women Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs). The PWL Project is jointly implemented by UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The training strengthened the leadership and legislative capacity of more than 20 MPAs, many serving as parliamentarians for the first time, to help them effectively fulfill their constitutional roles in lawmaking, oversight, and representation.
Mr. Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director PIPS, noted, “Equipping new members with the right tools and knowledge is essential for them to begin their parliamentary journey with confidence. We greatly value the support of our institutional partners, particularly UN Women and UNDP, whose continued efforts in advancing inclusive and gender-responsive legislation are truly invaluable.”
“Inclusive and representative legislative institutions are essential for democratic governance. This initiative marks a pivotal step to equip new women legislators with the knowledge and tools required to advance gender-responsive governance and meaningful participation in decision-making processes,” emphasized Mr. Kaiser Ishaque, Assistant Resident Representative at UNDP Pakistan.
The sessions, facilitated by technical experts from PIPS, UN Women, and UNDP, introduced participants to parliamentary procedures, rules of business, and legislative tools, while highlighting key forums such as the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Sustainable Development Goals Taskforce, Young Parliamentarians Forum, and the Child Rights Caucus to promote cross-sectoral engagement.
“Strengthening the leadership of women parliamentarians is not just about representation, it is about transformation. When women’s voices shape laws and policies, governance becomes more inclusive, equitable, and effective for all Pakistanis,” said Ms. Jacqui Ketunuti, UN Women Deputy Country Representative, while underscoring the initiative’s significance.
This initiative strategically positions women legislators to navigate parliamentary processes more effectively, champion inclusive policies, and contribute to equitable development in sectors such as education, health, and economic empowerment. Aligned with the KP Women Empowerment Policy 2017 and the KP Gender Parity Report 2025, the effort marks a critical step toward institutionalizing gender-responsive governance and enabling women parliamentarians to lead with impact.
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