Sri Lankan Parliamentarians have pledged their support for Kashmala Tariq, who is vying for the post of chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). The election will be held in London in July. Ms. Tariq is a Pakistani Parliamentarian and chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP).
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| Kashmala Tariq: An activist for women’s rights.
Pic by Managala Weerasekera |
Ms. Tariq has chosen Sri Lanka to launch her campaign to canvass votes. She has already met Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Parliamentarians from the government and the Opposition. Five Sri Lankan Parliamentarians will vote at the election.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Ms. Tariq said the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which marks its golden jubilee this year, has never elected a woman to the post of chairperson in its 50 year- history.
“This year’s theme is women as agents of change, so there’s a possibility of me being elected,” Ms. Tariq said. “This year is the year for them to demonstrate their faith in women.”
From Sri Lanka, Ms. Tariq will take her campaign to India, where she will meet Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and other Parliamentarians.
“India, which has more than 30 votes, has always been cooperative when it comes to representing Asia in the international arena,” she said. “I was elected chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians at the 2007 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association annual conference, which was held in India. We look at India as our big brother, and we hope India shows magnanimity.”
Ms. Tariq has been an activist for women’s rights, campaigning for gender equality and racial impartiality. “We are the developing bloc, but we have equal opportunities. We should not be marginalised, despite all the difficulties we face. It is also important to activate the SAARC and create interaction, trade between countries. With people meeting, there will be more opportunities,” she said.
Ms. Tariq believes that Sri Lanka is a good example of a country that has achieved economic prosperity despite a three-decade conflict. She said countries in the region should strive for peace and democracy.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association comprises representatives of 53 Commonwealth countries, in nine geographical regions. Each country is entitled to five votes for each respective Parliament, and one vote for each province or state. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have five votes each, Pakistan nine, and India 35.
Sri Lanka is due to host the next annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, to be held in 2012. |
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