23-01-2024
Islamabad
Civic Education identified as a significant gap in Pakistan’s education system. WPAs can play their volunteer role in promoting peace in different walks of life.
Aurat Foundation organized a Study Circle on Transforming Violent Extremism. The Study Circle has the main objectives to provide a trusting atmosphere where the participants can feel comfortable. Speak about the challenges faced by women in advocating for gender and women peace and security Issues in politics. A total of 34 individuals participated.
Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, highlighted the project’s achievements and shared the objectives of consultation. She shared the need and purpose of the SHE -The Peacebuilder project. The project aims to train 75 women peace architects (WPAs) and increase their capacities to participate in local conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes.
Ms Rehma Hyder, Director Centre of Excellence on Population and Wellbeing Studies, NUST University started the session by talking about Civic Education identified as a significant gap in Pakistan’s education system. Civic education encompasses teaching students about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, the workings of government institutions, and the importance of civic participation. She also shared that the curriculum in Pakistani schools has traditionally placed a greater emphasis on traditional subjects like mathematics and science, often at the expense of comprehensive civic education. This historical trend has resulted in a neglect of essential topics such as democracy, human rights, and civic responsibilities within the educational framework. She additionally emphasized that as a nation, there is a deficiency in our understanding of both rights and responsibilities. The extent of awareness regarding these aspects varies among the Pakistani population, influenced by factors such as educational background, socioeconomic status, and regional disparities. Despite ongoing initiatives to integrate civic education into the curriculum, challenges persist in achieving broad awareness and comprehension of rights and responsibilities.
She concluded the session that every individual should strive to achieve equilibrium between their entitlements and duties as citizens. WPAs can play a critical effective role in promoting peace and tolerance from home to the societal level. She appreciated the WPAs to play their volunteer role in promoting peace in different walks of life.
Mr. Shahid Rahim, Senior Manager of SFCG said that the media including social media can play a crucial role in promoting peace by shaping public discourse, influencing perceptions, and fostering understanding among diverse communities. WPA can use this tool for the building of peaceful societies.
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