Aurat Foundation launched ‘Pakistan NGO Alternative Report on CEDAW-2012’ on December 18, 2012, at Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi.

The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is an international human rights treaty meant to remove discrimination against women resulting in gender inequalities. Pakistan ratified the CEDAW Convention in 1996 and presented combined initial, second and Third Periodic Report, before the CEDAW Committee. Each  time, the women’s rights NGOs in Pakistan also prepared a shadow / alternative CEDAW report soon after the government’s report. The process for the fourth NGOs’ Alternative CEDAW Report was initiated in 2008 and concluded in December 2012.

Ms.MahnazRahman, Resident Director of Aurat Foundation, Karachi, welcomed the guests and gave an overview of the CEDAW process. She informed the participants on the drafting of the convention and the way it was adopted to ensure effective procedures for its implementation.  Adv. Rubina Brohi, Regional Coordinator, LWP-WE, Aurat Foundation, talked about CEDAW process in the context of Pakistan. She explained how Aurat Foundation took the lead in compiling and drafting the alternative report. She also elaborated on the formation of four provincial CEDAW committees as well as a national CEDAW committee, which provided feedback and endorsements to the report.

Adv. Maliha Zia, Manager Law and Gender, Aurat Foundation, presented the salient features of the Report as per Articles 1-16 and General Recommendation 19 in a detailed presentation. Her presentation also covered a critique of the Government’s Fourth Periodic Report to the CEDAW Committee.  Mr. Taj Haider Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh, spoke on the situation of women in Pakistan, highlighting the need of the Government and civil society to work together on issues relating to women.   Dr. Masooma Hasan, Chairperson Board of Governors, Aurat Foundation, gave the concluding remarks.  The participants included representatives of UN Women-Pakistan, distinguished politicians, government officials, legal experts, youth, CSOs representatives and the media.