Code of Ethics to Prevent Hate Speech Against Women Politicians

News Desk

Islamabad: The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) handed over the proposed Code of Ethics to prevent hate speech against women politicians and parliamentarians to enhance their political participation to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretary Omer Hamid Khan on Monday.

The code of ethics will apply to political parties, candidates, political staff, and polling agents. Respect for diversity, accountability, refraining from using abusive language towards women, freedom of speech, and polite communication both online and offline are its guiding principles.

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Secretary ECP Omar Hamid Khan spoke to Women Parliamentarians & Senators as Cheif Guest in a consultation session on " Draft Code of Ethics to Prohibit Hate Speech & Enhance Women's Political Participation" by National Commission on the Status of Women NCSW @ncswpk pic.twitter.com/64j0fG8CTj

— Spokesperson ECP (@SpokespersonECP) March 6, 2023

The NCSW drafted this code of the ethics in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations (UN) Women. The aim of the proposal is to guarantee that politically active women can fully exercise their right to take part in politics and national life in a secure and respectable manner.

After extensive conversations in each province, the code of ethics was created. Participants in the discussion included lawmakers, officials from the election commission, security agencies, members of civil society, and media persons.

The NCSW has pressed the ECP to include clauses or limitations in the code of conduct for political parties, candidates, and other political employees in order to curb hate speech directed at women.