Lahore, February 23, 2009 - The women members in the Punjab Assembly formed a cross-party women caucus on Monday, vowing to work for legislation and policies important to women and to their empowerment.

"The Caucus encourages women's participation in the political process and provides an important forum to the current women members of the Assembly to collectively address their priority issues." said Michael Hryshchyshyn, Director, USAID Democracy & Governance Office, in his address at the launching ceremony.

The organization of the caucus is being supported by the Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project (PLSP). PLSP is an initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development, implemented under contract by DAI in partnership with the national and provincial legislatures, aimed at strengthening parliamentary institutions and processes. The PLSP's focus is to improve the capacity of the legislatures in their representation, law making, oversight and accountability, and infrastructure and management activities.

Since 2002, the U.S. Government on behalf of the American people has provided more than $2 billion to Pakistan to improve economic growth, education, health and governance and to assist with earthquake reconstruction.