PAKISTAN A nun at the National Commission on the Status of Women in Pakistan

Appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sr. Maryam Parween has been a campaigner for women's rights for many years. Under her leadership, the Catholic women's organization in Pakistan has raised awareness on issues such as gender-based violence, forced conversions and child marriages. For activist Kashif Aslam, she is an “invaluable asset to both the Catholic Church and the community.”

Islamabad (AsiaNews) – Pakistan's Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Sister Maryam Parween (Genevieve Ram Lal) to the National Commission on the Status of Women for a three-year term.

The 66-year-old is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary and plays a leading role in Pakistan's Catholic community. Since 2012, she has been the national director of the Catholic Women's Organisation (CWO) and leads initiatives across the country to promote the education, empowerment and well-being of women.

“Sister Maryam was invaluable to both the Catholic Church and the community,” human rights activist Kashif Aslam told AsiaNews on her appointment. “Her remarkable work and commitment to the rights of women, especially Christian women, spanned two decades and continues to this day.”

Under her supervision, the CWO works to raise awareness among women and girls on a range of issues, including gender-based violence, forced conversions, child marriage and general human rights issues.

“Sr. Maryam stood firm and raised her voice for the rule of law. As a woman, she stood with the workers, called for peace and acted as a defender of human rights and opposed war and injustice,” said Aslam, who argues that the NCSW appointment will bring more wisdom and meaningful representation to minority women.

“We welcome this decision and are confident that the Commission will live up to its mandate as a genuine and meaningful statutory body.”

Father Khalid Rashid Asi, who has worked with Sister Maryam for many years, says: “She is experienced; she knows the culture and religion very well. I firmly believe that she will do her best to promote women's rights in the country as she has been working with various women's groups for a long time. She has a lot of experience in working with women and knows their problems.”

Father Asi also responded to some critics regarding her appointment, since Sr. Maryam is an unmarried religious.

The arguments they put forward are unfounded because they are unaware of the work she has done throughout her life to advance the status of women and marginalised sections of society.

“If a person is not married, it does not mean that he cannot work for married people. A judge in the court is not a thief or a criminal, but it is his duty to make decisions against such crimes. It all depends on his experience and training.”