THE National Women Development Policy 2004, came under fire of women rights groups and civil society leaders for having done away with some of the equal rights provisions of the 1997 policy guidelines. The women development policy just announced by the interim government is an improved version on that adopted in 2004. The policy objectives set for women development are radical by past standards. The goals include ensuring equity between men and women in every sphere of national life, women's security at national, social and family levels together with their empowerment on political, social and economic fronts. We see women's uplift as not only a value addition to national advancement but as a power house for it. Given their success stories in various arenas, despite the lack of equal opportunity and other constraints, we are convinced if the impediments are removed they can work wonders. Breaking all gender divides we have to make the society an equal opportunity one. But since the polity, economy and the society are not structured in a gender sensitive way we have to go for some legislation covering important aspects like health, nutrition, education, vocational training, opportunities for income, property, debt, technology and 'right to have control over moveable and immovable property earned through market management'. The one-third representation of women in parliament, their greater participation in local bodies and above all involvement in policy making positions at the higher political, administrative and professional levels are indispensable pre-requisites for placing their development agenda on a fast-track. The establishment of women's human rights, their salvation from the vicious cycle of poverty and elimination of discrimination against girls would be attainable as much by positive male attitudes as by wider participation of women in all spheres of life. Women are assuming positions of higher responsibility and taking up jobs hitherto considered to be male domain, all these in their own right; now, imagine how productive, dynamic and effective they can be if the society and the government lend them the support they merit. Of course, we need a strategy for women's development aside from a set of policy guidelines. The government will have to make coordinated efforts with national and international NGOs to implement a strategy hammered out through a consultative process with experts and civil society leaders.