ISLAMABAD - Women Parliamentarians' Caucus, with the objectives to protect women's rights and women empowerment, was formally launched in a meeting chaired by Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly in Parliament House on Friday. The Caucus was formed after adoption of a resolution passed unanimously by the women members of the National Assembly. Spelling out the objectives of the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus, Madam Speaker said that the Caucus has been constituted with an aim to attain a broad-based consensus among all female members of the parliament on an agreed agenda for the women development, empowerment and emancipation, enabling them to work beyond and above party lines for the women of Pakistan. Dr Fehmida Mirza said the Caucus will enhance the role of the women parliamentarians in proposing gender sensitive legislation in addition to reviewing and amending discriminatory laws and practices. It will ensure effective parliamentary oversight of implementation of international and regional commitments, national policies and programs, she added. Madam Speaker said that the Caucus will facilitate an exchange of views and information sharing on critical areas of concern, particularly social discriminatory practices at different levels both nationally and internationally. The Caucus will liaise and build a working relationship with key states and civil society institutions and organizations in order to contribute towards national and international efforts for promotion of women empowerment, rights and gender equality. She said that the Caucus will review rules and procedures in order to ensure women's continued access to and participation in the National Assembly, besides providing a forum to jointly work for the achievements of social indicators so that the Millennium Development Goals are within reach. Madam Speaker said that the constitution of the Caucus was the first step and later on, its ambit would be extended to women parliamentarians in Senate, Assemblies of AJ&K and the four provinces. The meeting was attended by a large number of women of the National Assembly. It was also decided that Madam Speaker will be the Patron and Ms. Nafeesa Shah, MNA would be the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Caucus. Women Members of the National Assembly appreciated the establishment of Women Parliamentary Caucus and praised Madam Speaker for initiating this noble cause. They also assured their all-out support for the realization of the objectives of women empowerment. It was decided to establish a fund to achieve the objectives of the Caucus. It was also decided that the Membership fee of the Caucus will be Rs 500 while monthly fee will be Rs 1000/ Dr Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly donated Rs one lakh into the Caucus fund. Other members who donated funds for the Caucus, include Mrs. Nushat Sadiq (Rs 50,000), Mrs Tasneem Siddique (Rs 25,000), Mrs Mehrunnisa Afridi (Rs 50,000), Begum Ishrat Ashraf (Rs One lakh), Mrs. Bushra Gohar (Rs.50,000) and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Babar Awan (Rs one lakh).