A Women Development Cell was established in the Planning & Development Department, Government of Sindh in 19179. The objective of this cell was to address women's issues through  an institutionalized system in planning and development of Sindh.

In 1995 a separate Women Development Department was formed with a broader scope than the previously established cell within the P&DD. However in 1998 the Department was merged with the Social Welfare Department at the secretariat level. In 2001 the Directorate of Women Development was abolished and a Women Development Wing was established under Directorate of Social Welfare. It was later put under the control of Population Welfare Department.

In 2003 a separate Women Development Department was re-established with a strong mandate focussed towards women's empowerment and gender equality

Key Commitments

• Provincial Policy for Development of Women.
• WDD Sindh’s Rules of Business with devolved Rules.
• Gender Reform Action Plan (GRAP) Sindh.
• ADP, PSDP, donor funded Projects and other activities.

International commitments:

• Convention for Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
• Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
• International Labour Convention
• Beijing declaration