Sindh Assembly needs to pass Sindh Water Management ordinance (Amendments) Bill

Karachi: Women have no visible role in water resource management and irrigation system in Sindh, and it must be included in Sind Water Management Ordinance, so the amendment bill can be leading women to participate in decision-making process said during a consultative dialogue on Sindh Water Management Ordinance Amendment (ACT) 2018 on Tuesday, in Karachi, organized By Strengthening Participatory Organization, in Collaboration of Commission on Status of Women in Sindh. 

Pirbhu Satyani, Regional Coordinator SPO explained that in 2017 SPO conducted policy gap analysis of SIDA act 1997 and Sindh Water Management Ordinance 2002 where it was found that women had no role in any structure such as farmer organization, watercourse association, or area water board despite women are directly involved in agriculture and water management at the local level. This amendment can ensure their (women) part in the decision-making. 

“Sindh Government supports the amendments for the SWMO, this is an opening opportunity for women farmers to participate in an irrigation system, and to recognize the f integral role of women,” said Sharmila Farooqi Member of Provincial Assembly Sindh. 

Abdul Basit Soomro Chairman (SIDA) wished to penetrate the conventional irrigation system and encourages farmers’ participation in structure. There is no specific percentage of women, but we want their inclusion in the irrigation system. 

Nuzhat Sherin, Chairman of Sindh Commission on the Status of Women, Government of Sindh, told that, all parliamentarian of Sindh supports and all parties are lobbying to pass the bill – adding – There isn’t any representation of women in SWMO.  

Member of Provincial Assembly, Qasim Soomro expressed that people on the fringes of the district of Sindh face water crises, particularly women suffer a lot; therefore, we encourage the role of women to be included in water management, and would extend every possible support to carry this bill to assembly.  

Adeeba Hassan MPA PTI, Veerji Kolhi Adviser to CM on Human Rights, Raheema Panhwar Civil Society Activist, Jai Ram GM Irrigation Department Sindh, other Civil Society Members, media personal participated in the consultative dialogue.  

Support The Rise News click here to donate