Aurat Foundation’s Quetta office, in collaboration with Rozan and National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), organized a provincial consultation on the ‘State Report for Beijing+20’, on February 18, 2014, Serena Hotel, Quetta, so that to involve the relevant government agencies, parliamentarians, NGOs and other stake holders to have their input and experiences documented for the state report on 12 thematic areas outlined in the Beijing platform for action.

Participants of the consultation included government officials, women of different political parties, INGO/NGO representatives, prominent lawyers, political and social activists, academia, labour unions, doctors, paramedic associations, teachers associations, women’s chamber of commerce, Aurat Foundation’s district partners and media persons.

The participants were divided into 12 groups according to their expertise in relevant fields. Participants discussed progress and achievements along with outlining setbacks and challenges for Beijing platform for action. The group discussions were also focused on future plans and initiatives that the government aims to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women. Each group was facilitated by an expert selected from group members. The rapporteur was also designated from each group to present their group works.

The session was chaired by Mir Izhar Khan Khosa, Minister for Women’s Development and Food, Government of Balochistan. While expressing his views he said that, he will try his level best for the development of women cause and also keeps close coordination with the civil society organizations for the advancement of women’s movement. Ms Salma Qureshi, Additional Secretary, Women’s Development Department, Balochistan, was also present in the event.

Ms Saliha Ramay (Rozan) and Ms Farkhanda Aurangzeb (AF) spoke at length on objectives of consultation and also presented the overview of Beijing conference and progress after that. Mr Haroon Dawood, Resident Director (AF - Quetta) and Ms Saima Javed (AF - Quetta) moderated various sessions of the consultation. The group works were assisted by Mr Allauddin Khilji, Mr Ishfaq Mengal, Mr Amir Ali, Mr Lal Muhammad and Ms Fatima Tahir.