Aurat Foundation (AF) in collaboration with Women Learning Partnership (WLP) organized a three-day training of trainers with the focus on young women, students, entrepreneurs, journalists, health facilitators, climate activists, academia, teachers, lecturers, lawyers and women activists working as line managers representing all leading women rights organizations based in Islamabad. WLP and AF enjoy a longstanding partnership for the empowerment of women. They join hands to build the capacity of leading advocacy organizations and networks across Pakistan. The capacity-building trainings have trained several women's rights defenders and imparted advocacy and lobbying skills in community-based networks. This was held ToT by Aurat Foundation and WLP, held in Aurat Foundation office, Islamabad, from June 25, 2025, to June 27, 2025.

The participants were invited through a thorough process, for which letters were sent to the organization heads, including a concept note of the training, which laid out its goals and a brief review of its broader impact. Along with the invitation, a letter of commitment was also sent, which highlighted that the participants will carry out the activities at the grassroots level to achieve the long-term impact of the training program.

The group consisted of 20 participants, including 19 female participants and 1 male participant. Before the training total of 3 women leaders in the second tier from Afghanistan had committed to participating in the training. However, 2 of them withdrew at the 11th hour and only made it to Islamabad and participated in the training.

The training consisted of sessions on various topics, including Leadership, Democratic Culture, Harassment in the Workplace, Communication, Negotiation, and Climate Justice and others. The participants showed keen interest and actively engaged in group work and presentations throughout all sessions.

Naeem A. Mirza, the Executive Director of the Aurat Foundation, led a significant session titled "The Economy of Marriage." He elaborated on the burdensome nature of lavish marriage functions and the detrimental customs that are becoming prevalent in our society. Many parents feel overwhelmed by these traditions, which should be abandoned by the younger generation in Pakistan.

This training brought young activists together on a single platform to share their professional and personal experiences. They reflected on their insights regarding climate change and its impact on the people of Pakistan, discussing international commitments and COP agreements related to climate justice at a broader level. Participants raised concerns about the lack of policy implementation and the seriousness of these issues.

Ms. Maqsooda shared the success stories of previous trainees from the WLP and AF programs, highlighting how many of them are now leading various campaigns, organizations, and playing significant decision-making roles at both national and international levels. Additionally, she conducted a session on 200 years of women’s history, exploring their evaluative journey over the past 200 years and assessing women’s progress across all fields of life worldwide.

Training facilitators, Ms. Rabeea Hadi and Ms. Myra Imran, distributed certificates to the participants. Following the award ceremony, final evaluations were collected from the participants, and Rabeea Hadi expressed her gratitude with a closing message. She reminded them of their commitment to disseminate knowledge at the grassroots level and encouraged them to build on their learning by conducting additional training sessions, as proposed in their projects.

A Training session on "Women as Architect of Peace, Power and Progress" was conducted at Koh I Noor Textile Mills, Rawalpindi. Women took keen interest in training, want to know about Labour Laws, Women Rights and Civil Registration.

A Training session on "Industrial Work & Decision Making" was conducted at Crescent Textile Mills, Faisalabad. Women took keen interest in training, want to know about Labour Laws, Women Rights and Civil Registration. Few activities was also conducted with Apparel Women Workers.

A high-level policy dialogue on tobacco control held in Islamabad. In policy dialogues, Public health experts, parliamentarians, and civil society leaders have called for urgent and substantial increases in tobacco taxation and stricter enforcement of tobacco control laws to address the alarming rise in nicotine consumption, especially among Pakistan’s youth..

Legislators, health professionals, and civil society organizations have called upon the Government of Sindh to urgently implement comprehensive regulations for tobacco and emerging nicotine products. This demand was raised during a high-level policy dialogue organized by Aurat Foundation in Karachi, amid growing concern over the rising use of e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and flavored tobacco products, especially among youth.

Participants of the dialogue noted that the increase in nicotine consumption among young people is exacerbated by policy loopholes and weak enforcement in existing tobacco control laws. 

Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Ms. Farah Sohail, speaking at the event, highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing this pressing issue. “The Government of Sindh is fully aware of the challenges our youth are facing due to the menace of tobacco and emerging nicotine products,” she stated. She added that the province has recently adopted a comprehensive tobacco control policy, established a functional Provincial Tobacco Control Cell, and is actively enforcing the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance, 2002, particularly around educational institutions. 

She aptly remarked, “Nicotine thrills, but kills.”

MPA Farah Sohail pledged to use legislative, administrative, and social measures to regulate tobacco and emerging nicotine products in Sindh.

The MPA shared ongoing collaboration with Aurat Foundation to strengthen the Women Parliamentary Caucus and promised to work towards the imposition of taxes and levies on harmful nicotine products, in addition to introducing new legislation to regulate them.

Ms. Shamim Mumtaz, former Minister for Women Development, stressed the importance of coordinated action among parliamentarians, civil society, and government departments to effectively control tobacco use.

Ms. Mangla Sharma, former MPA, vowed support in controlling tobacco and emerging nicotine projects.

Dr. Kinza Zeeshan of Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) elaborated on the medical consequences of tobacco and nicotine use, such as cancer, respiratory illnesses, and risks posed by passive smoking. She highlighted that IHHN, in partnership with organizations like Aurat Foundation, Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, Human Development Foundation, Chromatic, and SEEDO, are actively engaged in tobacco control advocacy across the country.

Mr. Hakim Ali Unar, representing the Sindh Education and Literacy Department, reaffirmed the department’s zero-tolerance policy on tobacco use in and around schools. He stated that tobacco and nicotine products are strictly banned within 50 meters of educational institutions, both public and private.

Ms. Malka Khan, Provincial Manager at Aurat Foundation, underscored the organization’s 40-year-long legacy in advancing women’s rights and political representation, and reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to tobacco control advocacy.

The event concluded with a collective pledge by the participants to support stronger regulatory frameworks and collaborative action to protect the health of Sindh’s population from tobacco-related harm.

A delegation of Aurat Foundation called on Syed Mustafa Kamal, Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination at his office today and demanded tax increase on tobacco and nicotine products in the upcoming budget.

Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, Director Program of Aurat Foundation said that Pakistan currently ranks 54^th among 84 countries for tobacco smoking prevalence. Alarmingly, tobacco advertising disproportionately targets youth, particularly young girls, adversely affecting their health, education, and future prospects. According to recent statistics, approximately 31.9 million adults aged 15 and above—19.7% of the adult population—are current tobacco users.

Mr. Safdar Raza, Team Leader explained that a recent study conducted by a reputable organization highlights the following key findings:

• 31.6 million adults (aged 15 and above), or 19.9% of the adult population, currently use tobacco, including 17.3 million smokers.
• Tobacco use is linked to more than 160,000 deaths annually in Pakistan.
• The total estimated economic cost of smoking-related diseases and deaths amounts to 1.6% of Pakistan’s GDP each year.
• Without an increase in tobacco taxes, more than 490,000 individuals are projected to start smoking in Pakistan by 2025-26.
• Furthermore, Mr. Raza continued that the study reveals that cigarettes have become increasingly affordable due to the freeze on tobacco tax rates since February 2023. To address this, an excise tax increase of Rs. 39 per pack could lead to significant positive outcomes, including:
• A reduction of 263,000 smokers.
• A 6.9% decrease in cigarette consumption.
• Additional government revenue of Rs. 67.4 billion.

“In view of the above, substantial tax Increase on tobacco and nicotine products would not only serve as a strong deterrent to tobacco use but also significantly contribute to improving public health outcomes and strengthening national fiscal revenues”, Ms. Mumtaz Mughal concluded.

On the occasion of National Women's Day 12th February and the birth anniversary of our beloved Shahla Zia, the Aurat Foundation organized a webinar titled "Milestone of the Struggle for Women's Rights in Pakistan. " The webinar was hosted by Ms. Mumtaz Mughal (Director Programs AF). The session featured renowned human rights activist, feminist, social scientist, and advocate for gender equality, Ms. Tahira Abdullah.

Attendees included individuals from academia, media, law, education, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, minority rights activists, students, feminists, and women leaders in the community and political spheres. The session explored the extensive history of women's struggles both nationally and internationally.

Ms. Tahira highlighted the historical background, she added that on February 12, 1983, under the oppressive conditions of Section 144, a courageous group of women took a bold stand against an unjust ban on public assembly. With conviction in their hearts, they marched peacefully toward the Lahore High Court to voice their protest against the discriminatory Law of Evidence. Leading this historic demonstration was the Women Action Forum (WAF), a vibrant coalition of activists dedicated to fighting for women's rights.

This momentous event marked a significant turning point in Pakistan's history, as it was the first organized public demonstration against the repressive practices of the Ziaul Haq military regime. The atmosphere was charged with emotion and determination, as these women defied societal norms to demand justice.

However, their bravery was met with unprecedented hostility. For the first time, authorities unleashed tear gas and wielded batons against women, causing injuries to many peaceful protestors. In a shocking display of force, nearly 50 participants were arrested, highlighting the severe repression faced by those who dared to speak out against injustice. This protest not only symbolized a fight for rights but also ignited a spirit of resistance that would inspire future generations. She discussed various recommendations regarding political reforms, the inclusion of women in peace dialogues at international treaties, environmental issues, climate change, and the political representation of women.

Concerned mothers group of Aurat Foundation meeting MPAs, District Local Government and Education Officers for the implementation of tobacco control  laws.

Aurat Foundation signed an MoU with ICMA on issues related to gender and with special focus on youth engagement on tobacco and emerging nicotine products control and making ICMA a hub for youth activism

Safdar Raza conducted a session with all members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly on legislation on tobacco control in GB on 10 January at Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services.

An awareness session was conducted for the students of Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (ICMA), Islamabad regarding tobacco and its novel emerging nicotine products. A total of hundred plus students were a part of this counselling session which also included teachers and a few other faculty members.

A session with 15 laborer was conducted at Kohinoor Textile Mills Rawalpindi.

Mr. Safdar Raza, Ms. Mehak Fatima and HR Officer Ms. Rabia spoke in detail the menace of tobacco uses and how it is taking toll in individual health and society’s wellbeing as well as depriving people from financial health.

A refresher session was arranged for the Task Leaders of the Concerned Mothers’ Group at Islamabad. 17 task leaders participated and presented progress of their work plans they had prepared during their first orientation on 25-26 September 2024.

Kanwal Niazi, Assistant Programme Officer, Aurat Foundation, Islamabad head office, attended the South Asia Regional Youth Conference on Tobacco Control on 6th and 7th December 2024 at the Grand Cinnamon Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka, organized by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK).

It was a two day conference, attended by participants from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Participants from partner organizations included SPARC, CHROMATIC and Nari Maitree. The aim of the conference was to highlight why the voices of youth matter and to make them aware of the harmful effects of tobacco. Group activities were based on political power mapping and youth engagement strategies for digital and social media campaigns against tobacco.

A panel discussion was also held on building a support network for youth against tobacco and addressing all the tobacco issues through multiple lenses. All the members worked in groups for the development of youth leadership strategy – plan of action for the year 2025. To wrap up the conference, all the participants received a Certificate of Participation and shared their feedback about the conference.

Aurat Foundation signed MoU with Inspector General Prisons, Government of Balochistan to Enhance Living Conditions for Women and Juvenile Inmates

 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the Aurat Foundation and the Office of Inspector General Prisons, Government of Balochistan, at the IG Prisons Office. The MoU was signed by Mr. Allauddin Khilji, Resident Director of Aurat Foundation, and Mr. Ishaque Zehri, Superintendent of Central Jail Quetta, under the supervision of Malik Shuja Uddin Kasi, Inspector General of Prisons. The partnership aims to improve the living conditions and welfare of women and juvenile inmates in Quetta District Jail throughout the project period. This collaboration paves the way for the implementation of the “Enforcement of Technical Training and Rehabilitation Program for Juvenile Inmates in Quetta District Jail 2024-2025,” with the financial support of Muslim Charity. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to promoting the rights and welfare of women and juvenile inmates through education, rehabilitation, and infrastructural improvements.

The MoU formalizes the implementation of the project “Enforcement of Technical Training and Rehabilitation Program for Juvenile Inmates in Quetta District Jail 2024-2025,” with the financial support of Muslim Charity. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to uphold human and fundamental rights, including the specific rights of women and juveniles as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan, while endorsing the vision of the Prisons Department.

This partnership include:

•            Providing educational courses such as Fine Arts and IT for juvenile inmates.

•            Promoting sports activities (both indoor and outdoor) for physical and mental well-being.

•            Enhancing the capacity of jail staff through targeted training programs.

•            Offering mental health support to address psychological challenges faced by inmates.

•            Supplying raw materials for vocational activities benefiting women inmates.

•            Conducting repair and maintenance (Whitewash) of juvenile barracks and seven mosques within Quetta Jail.

•            Installing shade structures for the football and sports area to improve recreational facilities.

This collaboration signifies a holistic approach to rehabilitation, combining education, mental health, recreation, and infrastructural improvements. The project is a testament to the shared vision of Aurat Foundation and the Prisons Department to create a more humane and supportive environment for incarcerated individuals, particularly women and juveniles.

Both parties are dedicated to working closely to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative, fostering meaningful and sustainable changes in the lives of the inmates.

Provincial Minister for Human Rights Ministry, Punjab Ramesh Singh Arora said We all together work for the cause of Tobacco Reduction.

Naseem Bano, General Secretary PMLN talks about Tobacco usage reduction and need to aware Mothers.

The workshop facilitated by the Aurat Foundation and sponsored by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) was conducted from October 23-25, 2024 in Islamabad. This workshop included valuable insights from Mian Najeeb Aslam, former Director General of Local Government and Community Development in the Government of Punjab, and Governance Specialist at the Asian Development Bank, Pakistan.

This workshop aimed to empower CSOs and media personnel in effectively engaging with provincial government processes, monitoring budgets, and tracking government expenditures. The ultimate goal of the manual is to strengthen the role of CSOs and media in promoting transparency, accountability, and advocacy within governance. This exercise gave an opportunity to gather insights from experts in relevant fields to ensure the content aligns with project objectives and effectively meets the needs of the target audience.

The training approach emphasized interactive engagement, ensuring that participants not only received knowledge but also fully understood it. Trainers encouraged open discussions, creating a forum for feedback, questions, and suggestions. The training provided illustrative examples of successful public participation in budgeting and local development initiatives, showcasing best practices that can be replicated in other contexts.

In the closing ceremony, Mr. Najeeb Aslam expressed his gratitude to Aurat Foundation and NDI for placing their trust in him and offering the opportunity to develop the training manual on such an important topic. He thanked the organizers for their support and collaboration throughout the process, highlighting the significance of the manual in empowering CSOs and media personnel to engage effectively in governance processes.

Mr. Sagir Hashmi, Grants and Finance Manager at NDI expressed confidence that the skills developed would contribute positively to citizen-government collaboration and strengthen democratic processes within the community. He further emphasized that by equipping them with the necessary tools and skills to engage effectively with government processes, we are trying to lay the foundation for a more accountable, inclusive, and transparent governance system.

In the closing ceremony, Mr Naeem Mirza, Executive Director of Aurat Foundation, addressed the participants, stating that this workshop is just the beginning. He emphasized that the real work lies in how participants will take the knowledge gained here and apply it in their respective regions. He also expressed his gratitude to NDI, the trainers, and the participants for their valuable time and input, which has been crucial in improving the training manual.

At the end of the workshop, certificates were presented to the participants in recognition of their active involvement and contributions throughout the sessions. Souvenirs were also presented to the resource persons and guest as tokens of appreciation for their valuable contributions.

A group of 60 women, representing all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, minorities, pollical activists from all mainstream and religious political parties, met here in Islamabad for two days to discuss harmful effects on tobacco and novel nicotine products.

These representative women called Concerned mothers, met with MNAs Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan, Ms. Ghazala Khan, Ms. Mahjabeen Abbasi, Ms. Huma Chughtai and Saher Kamran.

A comprehensive briefing was given to the Concerned Mothers by the officials of Tobacco Control Cell of the Government of Pakistan.

The concerned mothers, whose children and family members are on the risk of smoking, resolved that the taxes on all tobacco products should be increased so that such products could not be in the purchasing power of youth and an incremental decrease in the use of tobacco is achieved.

MNA Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan said that during the years the parliament and the government promulgated many laws and regulation through SROs on tobacco control in Pakistan especially Prohibition of smoking in public places, ban on cigarette sales to children under 18, and in 500 meter radius of education institutions, Prohibition of a pack of less than 20 sticks, mandatory health warnings on cigarette packs and a price ceiling.’ MNA Naeema Kishwar Khan promised that we, as parliamentarians shall do whatever is needed for tobacco control.

MNA Sahe Kamran said in her closing remarks that as a parliamentarian, previous tenure as Senator, and now member of the National Assembly, I always raise voice at the floor of the house as well as in public arenas like media, social media, and public gatherings for the public interest especially for weaker segments of our society like children, women and minorities. She informed that the provincial government of Sindh banned gutka and Shisha cafés.

MNA Saher said, “I am mindful and working with Aurat Foundation and civil society for stricter control of tobacco, its other products like gutka, cigar, niswar, biri as well as banning novel products injurious to health. I am working with Women Parliamentary Caucus to amend existing laws on tobacco and introducing new laws banning novel nicotine products like vapes.

She continued, “New products are targeting youth in our educational institutions, we need to take measures to address this issue not only by creating awareness but also to make related laws.”

Razia Sultana, a political activist from Punjab said, ”We are deeply concerned that in the national budget of 2024-25, wherein every product was heavily taxed, even the lifesaving drugs and daily use food items were not spared from taxation but only tobacco was spared from any taxation. We demand 26% imposition of tax on all tobacco products. In continuation of our concern and anguishes, we regret the recent decrease in the cigarette prices. A cigarettes manufacturing company has drastically lowered its prices from Rs. 483 to Rs. 283, a move that not only violates existing tobacco control laws but also poses a severe threat to public health, particularly targeting youth and minors. Previously, at the price of Rs. 483, the company paid approximately Rs. 74 in taxes per pack. With the new price of Rs. 283, they are now paying only Rs. 43 in taxes – a reduction of Rs. 32 per pack. This decrease significantly impacts the country’s economy, as it results in a substantial reduction in tax revenue. We demand strict action by the CBR to immediately take action against that company for violation of price mechanism laws and SROs.”

Sanam Naz, a political activist from Sindh opined, “We also demand that no cigarette pack should be less than 20 sticks, as laid out in the law and we demand campaign by the tobacco companies to produce packs of less than 20 sticks, under the guise of export, can undermine country’s longstanding efforts against tobacco control. There is a significant danger that these products will shortly find their way into our local markets, thereby poisoning the health of our youth and lower-income populations even further. We the concerned mothers demand the government to not to accede to any such demand of the vested interests.”

Mumtaz Mughal, Program Director of Aurat Foundation said, ‘We demand that introducing new laws banning novel nicotine products like vapes. New products are targeting youth in our educational institutions, we need to take measures to address this issue not only by creating awareness but also to make related laws.”

The Concerned Mothers collectively vowed, “We resolve to keep on working for advocating with the parliamentarians, local governments, education authorities, civil societies, shopkeepers for protecting children and weaker sections of the society from harmful effects of tobacco and new nicotine products.”

Aurat Foundation gave a Presentation regarding to the Women's Parliamentary Caucus regarding
"Strengthen the Role of Parliamentarians for Reduction of Tobacco Usage in Pakistan"
AF gave the presentation to the members of the WPC at the Third General Assembly Meeting of the WPC on 28th, August 2024 at the Parliament House in Islamabad.



The presentation was presented by Syed Safdar Raza, Mumtaz Mughal, Mehak Fatima Jafry (AF), Dr. Khalil Ahmed (SPARC), and Arooj Rajput (HDF). WPC agreed to work on 4 key areas which are:

Aurat Foundation successfully organized a National Conference on July 11, 2024, at Serena Hotel Islamabad.

A total of two hundred and thirty-three (233) participants participated in the National Conference. Governor KP, Mr Faisal Karim Kundi, Members of provincial assembly (MPAs, MNAs) and members of US Embassy participated. Member of Law enforcement departments, police officials, media persons, lawyers, academia, students, minorities, transgender and representatives of civil society organizations also participated.

The main Objectives of National Conference was to share best practices and lessons learned from the experiences of Women Peace Architects (WPAs) in fostering sustainable peace, to analyze the impact of Women Peace Architects (WPAs) initiatives on promoting peace and conflict resolution through Community Actions and to explore innovative strategies for enhancing the role of women in peacebuilding efforts.

75 Women Peace Architects (WPAs) from all provinces of Pakistan set up stalls showcasing their project work funded by small grants under SHE-The Peacebuilder Project. Their displays included an array of pamphlets, posters, stickers, documents, photographs of activities, and various souvenirs, providing a comprehensive overview of their initiatives and achievements.

Mr Faisal Karim Kundi, Governor KP, praised the collaborative efforts of the Aurat Foundation, Search for Common Ground, and Kadam Communication in organizing this conference. He said that your commitment to supporting women peacebuilders and fostering a culture of peace is commendable. Continued collaboration among governmental and non-governmental organizations is essential to sustain and expand the impact of such initiatives.
Ms Ghazala Golu, Deputy Speaker Balochistan Assembly emphasized the importance of men’s participation in promoting women’s representation in government. She assured that while the representation of women in Balochistan has been very low in recent years, there are now promising signs of improvement. Ms. Golu highlighted that collaborative efforts between men and women are crucial for achieving gender parity in leadership and decision-making roles. She also stressed the need for societal change to support and encourage women to step into these roles. Additionally, Ms. Golu called for more targeted policies and programs that address the barriers women face in politics, such as lack of access to education, financial resources, and mentorship. She expressed optimism that with these efforts, the future will see a significant increase in women’s representation and participation in Balochistan’s political landscape.

Ms Suraya bibi, Deputy Speaker, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly said that women’s representation is essential in every part and sector of the country. She thanked the WPAs, Aurat Foundation, and Search for Common Ground for their dedicated efforts over the past two years. She highlighted that through various activities, these women have successfully taught the vital lesson of promoting peace in society.

Mr Naveed Anthony, Deputy Speaker, Sindh Assembly proudly announced that Sindh is the first province to elect four women to the Deputy Speakership, marking a significant milestone and honor for the region. He noted that a notification has been issued to this effect, emphasizing the growing stability and prominence of women in society. Mr. Anthony highlighted that the achievements of the WPAs have accomplished in a short span what had not been achieved in the last 75 years, showcasing the transformative power of women’s contributions.

Mr Muhammad Mukram Khan, Director General Cyber Vigilance, PTA reiterated PTA’s dedication to safeguarding the digital wellbeing of young people in Pakistan. He encouraged ongoing dialogue and cooperation among all sectors to enhance cyber vigilance and ensure a positive impact on the lives of the country’s youth.

MNA Sahar Kamran, Ex-Senator also participated in the Conference. Addressing the participants that Aurat Foundation is playing an effective role in bringing forward young women. She said that the youth should be diverted from immoral activities and moved towards skills so that there is peace in the society.

Ms Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson of the National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW), delivered her closing remarks with a powerful and inspiring message. As the Chief Guest for the session, she lauded the Aurat Foundation and Search for Common Ground for their pivotal role in spearheading the initiative. She highlighted the organization’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and their social and economic stability, emphasizing that this initiative was designed to develop the leadership skills of women and empower them to contribute effectively to peacebuilding efforts.

Ms. Nilofer appreciated the Aurat Foundation’s efforts to nurturing a garden, where each woman is a plant that has been carefully tended to ensure growth and flourishing. She noted that women today must navigate the complexities of modern society with precision and resilience, adapting to the evolving demands of the era.

Mr Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director, Aurat Foundation, expressed his views on the crucial role women can play in establishing peace and order within their communities. He proudly acknowledged the 75 women recognized for their significant contributions to peacebuilding, noting that their hard work and determination have brought about positive change not only in their local areas but across the entire country.

At the end of the ceremony, all Women Peace Architects (WPAs) were awarded for their services. Ms Nilofer Bakhtiar presented awards to WPAs. A group picture was taken at the end.

Ms Mashal Mushtaq and Ms Carol Malaika, member Women Peace Architects from Peshawar successfully conducted Career Counselling session with young girls on joining Law Enforcement Institutes. This session was conducted on June 8th, 2024 at Fort Continental, Peshawar.

Ms Mashal and Ms Carol guided young students on Career Counselling to join law enforcement Institutions. By providing young girls with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to pursue careers in law enforcement. This counseling session aims to empower them to break barriers and contribute to a diverse and effective law enforcement community. The session inspired confidence, foster resilience, and encouraged the next generation of female law enforcement professionals.

Mr. Rizwan, Provincial Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, graced the session as the Chief Guest, offering valuable insights into the National Commission for Human Rights Act 2012, aimed at the promotion and protection of human rights. He elucidated the key provisions of the Act, emphasizing the pivotal role it plays in safeguarding the rights of individuals. Mr. Rizwan underscored the open-door policy of the NCHR KP office, particularly for female complainants who have experienced any form of violation, ensuring their grievances are heard and addressed promptly.


Moreover, Mr. Rizwan shed light on the existing policies and legislations concerning women’s rights, highlighting the unfortunate lack of awareness among the populace. He emphasized the importance of raising awareness about these rights to ensure their effective implementation.


From a political standpoint, Mr. Rizwan acknowledged the relatively limited activity in Pakistan aimed at promoting women in politics. While the government has made strides in the inclusion of women in politics at all levels, he acknowledged the persisting gender discrimination. He informed the audience about the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) secretariat, which is dedicated to receiving complaints from various marginalized groups, including women, persons with disabilities, transgender individuals, minorities, female candidates, female polling staff, and female polling agents.

Ms. Naheed, Assistant Director of Social Welfare, and Mr. Dr. Ateeq Ur Rehman, a social activist, were also invited as guests. Participants from various cultural, religious, and social backgrounds made the session productive and fruitful with the help of Trainer Ayesha Khan (Aurat Foundation Jazba Project Program Officer) Various topics were discussed in detail, followed by group activities and presentations. The honorable guests shared their views on violence and career counseling, offering their support and services for the subject causes.

Certificates were distributed among all participants by the honorable guests. The session concluded with a vote of thanks and refreshments.

Ms Zainab Mehmood, member Women Peace Architect from Haripur successfully conducted One-Day Hockey unity match with slogan “Play for Peace”. This activity was conducted with youth athletes on June 6th, 2024 at Peace College, Haripur campus.

The main purpose of the activity was to provide a platform for young female athletes to collaborate, compete, and showcase the spirit of sportsmanship. Ms Zainab engaged and collaborated with local colleges/high schools and sports clubs to identify potential participants. She also created IEC material and designed few slogans for this activity.

Ms Zainab’s efforts were instrumental in ensuring a diverse and enthusiastic participation from young athletes across the region. The IEC materials she created highlighted the importance of sports in fostering teamwork, discipline, and resilience. The slogans she designed resonated with the spirit of empowerment and unity, encouraging young women to take pride in their athletic abilities and to strive for excellence both on and off the field.
The collaboration with educational institutions and sports clubs not only helped in identifying talented participants but also built a supportive network that could nurture these athlete’ growth and development. Ms. Zainab’s initiative went beyond the competition itself; it aimed at creating a lasting impact by promoting a culture of inclusivity and recognition for female athletes.

Through this activity, many young women were able to showcase their talents, gain confidence, and build lasting relationships with their peers. The event was a celebration of sportsmanship and provided an invaluable opportunity for young female athletes to shine and inspire others in their communities.

The chief guest of the event, Mr Yousaf Ayub Khan, Ex minister CNW/provincial member of Pakistan Climate Change Authority announced the ambitious plans to significantly enhance the sports infrastructure in the region. These plans include the construction of an Olympic-size international level swimming pool for both female and male athletes, with a targeted completion time of 5 to 6 months. Additionally, an indoor national level gymnasium for girls, catering to a variety of sports, will be established in Haripur. Furthermore, a covered area specifically designed for female players will be constructed at Curtas Ground (Committee Ground), providing a safe and sheltered environment for practice and competition. These initiatives aim to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for athletes, encouraging excellence and participation across various sports disciplines.

Ms. Ayesha Batool, Principal GGDC no 2 Haripur (Professor Health and physical education), announced to create a peace building committee in her college and also announced to participate in process of players registration with District Sports Club.

The other guests of the event were

Mr Sohrab Masud, Assistant Superintendent jail
Mr Khalid, Principal peace college
Mr Mehmood Hussain Shah, social activist
Mr Ilyas Fareed, traffic incharge
Ms Fehmida, professor GPGC for women, Haripur.

Ms Maria Qureshi and Ms Yusra Gillani, member Women Peace Architects (WPAs) under the project SHE-THE Peacebuilder conducted a One-Day Training Session with different government/private stakeholders to sensitize the need of People With Disabilities (PWDs). This session was conducted on June 5th, 2024 at The Margala Hotel, Islamabad.

Ms Maria and Ms Yusra themselves facilitated the session. The main purpose was to raise awareness among these stakeholders regarding disability issues and peacebuilding efforts. This activity contributed to creating a more inclusive, tolerant, and peaceful society where individuals with disabilities are valued, respected, and provided with equal opportunities to thrive. The main aim of this training session was also to foster active participation and engagement among diverse stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities, community members, religious leaders, policymakers, and organizations.

The Chief guest, Mr Naeem Ahmad Mirza, Executive Director, Aurat Foundation said that today’s training session is a crucial step towards building a more inclusive society where the needs of people with disabilities are not just acknowledged but actively addressed. It is imperative that we, as stakeholders, commit to creating environments that are accessible and equitable for all. This session has provided us with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change. Mr Mirza appreciated that these discussions have highlighted the critical need for systemic changes to support people with disabilities. I am confident that the insights gained here will lead to significant improvements in accessibility and inclusion.

At the end of the event, Mr Naeem Mirza along with Ms Maria and Ms Yusra distributed certificates among the participants, and took a group picture together.

Ms Yasmin Mughal, Ms Saira Iqbal and Pashmina Khilji, member Women Peace Architects (WPAs) under the project SHE-THE Peacebuilder successfully conducted a One-Day Sensitization session on “Transforming Violent Extremism” using the Common Ground Approach. This session was conducted with the Students from Gender Study and Media Study Department on June 4th, 2024 at University of Balochistan.

Ms Saina Ali, member Women Peace Architect for Karachi conducted another successful Sensitization session with women police officers on June 4th, 2024 at DIGP South Zone Office, Karachi.

The main aim of the session was to sensitize women police officers on crucial issues related to their roles and responsibilities. The session sought to enhance their understanding and responsiveness towards peacebuilding efforts, emphasizing the importance of gender sensitivity, effective communication, and community engagement in their duties. She used “Transforming Violent Extremism (TVE)” tools and techniques to guide participants.

Mr Syed Asad Raza ,PSP, DIGP South Zone was the chief guest. He addressed the audience, expressing gratitude for their active participation in today’s gathering. He emphasized the crucial importance of understanding identity, noting that it encompasses the unique qualities and beliefs that define individuals. Mr. Raza underscored that recognizing and celebrating this diversity serves to fortify our communities, fostering unity and strength.


Highlighting the gravity of conflict, Mr. Raza emphasized that it transcends mere disagreement, representing a significant issue that requires resolution to prevent further escalation. He stressed that genuine peace involves more than the absence of conflict; it necessitates the cultivation of an environment characterized by mutual respect and harmony among all members of society.

Mr. Raza stressed the importance of distinguishing between conflict and violence. While conflict may involve differing perspectives and interests, violence, he noted, entails physical harm inflicted upon others. He outlined that effectively addressing extremism requires confronting not only the visible manifestations but also the underlying economic, political, and ideological factors that fuel it, thereby contributing to the creation of a safer and more inclusive world.

Mr. Raza concluded by commending the participants for their engagement, recognizing it as a significant step towards fostering a more understanding and peaceful society. He extended his heartfelt appreciation to each participant for their contributions and commitment to building a better tomorrow.

Ms Saina Ali, member Women Peace Architect from Karachi, under SHE-THE Peacebuilder project successfully conducted a One-Day Training session with poloce officers at DIGP West Zone Office. This session was conducted on June 3rd, 2024 in West Karachi.

Ms Saina Ali with over 12 years of experience in the social development sector, specialize in community engagement, conflict resolution, stakeholder consultations, and gender mainstreaming facilitated the session. The main purpose of this training was to sensitize law enforcement departments with the Common Ground Approach (CGA) and equip them with the "Transforming Violent Extremism (TVE)" tools and techniques. Ms Saina discussed specific challenges and solutions related conflict resolution through Interactive sessions using the TVE tools and techniques.

DIGP Irfan Ali Baloch, PSP was the chief guest. He said that It's been a pleasure to see your engagement with these important topics. Understanding identity helps us appreciate the diversity that makes us unique. Conflict arises from serious disagreements, and addressing its roots is vital for harmony.

Mr Irfan added that Peace is more than just the absence of conflict; it's about creating mutual harmony. Knowing the difference between conflict and violence-where violence involves physical harm-is crucial. Lastly, tackling extremism requires addressing economic inequality, political instability, and ideological factors.

Mr Irfan praised Aurat Foundation for this initiative and Ms Saina for her efforts and said that your commitment to these issues is commendable. Together, we can foster a more understanding and peaceful world.

The police officers praised the session for its comprehensive and engaging approach. They particularly appreciated the practical exercises and the relevance of the tools and techniques presented. The interactive workshops and discussions were highlighted as valuable opportunities for learning and collaboration.

Overall, the feedback indicated a strong commitment from participants to apply the knowledge and strategies gained during the session to promote inclusivity and peaceful coexistence within their communities.

This training session represented a significant step towards building a more inclusive society by sensitizing law enforcement officers to the needs of people with disabilities and equipping them with the tools to address violent extremism effectively.

Ms Moazammah Hasnain, member Women Peace Architect conducted an Awareness and Sensitization Session with Police Officers at Police Lines, Multan. This session was conducted on May 31st, 2024.

Ms Moazammah herself facilitated the session. The aim of the activity was to enhance the police officer’s understanding and responsiveness towards community peacebuilding efforts, particularly focusing on the importance of the active inclusion of women in their field. Ms Moazammah focused on emphasizing the importance of actively including women in their field, recognizing their crucial role in fostering a harmonious and inclusive community. By highlighting the significant contributions women can make, the session sought to challenge existing perceptions and encourage a more gender-inclusive approach within the police force. This initiative not only aimed to improve community relations but also to promote a culture of respect, equality, and collaboration within law enforcement. Through interactive discussions and practical examples, Ms. Moazammah illustrated how the active involvement of women can lead to more effective and compassionate policing, ultimately contributing to stronger, safer communities.

Mr Tahir Mustafa, SP Special Branch, Multan was the chief guest. He emphasized that women are already excelling in various fields with commendable confidence. He advocated for the continuation of such activities, highlighting their potential to further boost women’s self-assurance, enabling them to perform even more confidently in their respective domains. Mr. Mustafa reiterated the importance of respecting women and committed to further enhancing their inclusion and recognition in all spheres of life.

Ms Kiran Fatima, member Women Peace Architect from Karachi, under project SHE-THE Peacebuilder conducted a training workshop on Financial Literacy with a diverse and inclusive group comprising participants from different religions, students, working individuals, both male and female. This training workshop was conducted on May 24th, 2024 at DOS (Daughters of Shelom), Karachi. 

Aurat Foundation conducted A One-Day Co-Creation Workshop for Women Peace Architects (WPAs) of Punjab, KP and ICT at The Hill View Hotel, Islamabad on 29th April, 2024. The main objective of this workshop was to refine the grant concepts by unpacking the aim of the seed grants and how these will contribute to the project’s objectives. To Identify potential for synergies between the initiatives proposed and clarify implementation modalities: contractual requirements, implementation timeline, reporting for the projects proposals that were previously submitted by the WPAs.

Ms Anais Thizy, Project Officer, Regional Office SFCG, Kyrgyzstan and Mr Kumarbek Kainazara, Regional Finance Specialist, SFCG, Kyrgyzstan facilitated the workshop. Ms Mumtaz Mughal, Program Manager, Aurat Foundation, Mr Shahid Rahim, Program Manager, SFCG and Ms Tehreem Tasadduq, M & E, Glow consultants co-facilitated few sessions.

Ms Mumtaz Mughal, Program Manager, Aurat Foundation facilitated the session that focused on refining project concepts by delving into the purpose of seed grants and their alignment with project objectives. She engaged WPAs in discussions aimed at clarifying the intended outcomes and how they would support the broader goals of the project. She provided participants with valuable details about how to brainstorm their project concepts, clarify objectives, and strengthen alignment with project goals.

Ms Anais Thizy, Regional Program Officer, SFCG, Kyrgyzstan facilitated the session "What change are we Seeking". This session commenced with an interactive exercise/presentation aimed at engaging the WPAs in envisioning the impact, result, and activities of their respective projects. The exercise was structured to encourage active participation and reflection on the desired outcomes of their initiatives. During the exercise, each WPA was asked to present the IMPACT, RESULT, and ACTIVITIES of their projects, respectively.

Mr Shahid Rahim, Program Manager, SFCG facilitated the session on "Creating Synergies" through a speed-dating exercise with the aim of facilitating connections, resource sharing, and knowledge exchange among participants. The exercise was designed to foster collaboration and identify areas of common interest or overlap between projects. This speed-dating exercise proved to be an effective strategy for creating synergies and fostering collaboration among WPAs. Through active engagement and dialogue, WPAs identified common ground, shared resources, and laid the groundwork for meaningful partnerships. The session not only facilitated knowledge exchange but also strengthened the sense of community and collective purpose among each other.

Ms Tehreem Tasadduq, M&E, Glow Consultants told participants about the meaning of impacts. She said that impact is basically the tangible results or effects resulting from a project. Looking at how much the project has actually helped or benefitted the people it was meant to serve. In other words, you can also say that weather or not the objectives of the project been achieved and to what extent. The importance of measuring impact is that it gives accountability to your project. Provides you with valuable insights, learning and improvements. It also helps in making informed decisions for resource allocations and made evidence based decisions. It also gives an effectiveness to your project by promoting transparency and trust.

Mr Kumarbek, Regional Finance Specialist, SFCG, Kyrgyzstan explained all details about the "Funding Mechanism". The funding mechanism works in way that before the agreement signing process, preparation is very important. In order to complete these preparation, you should have a proper work plan. Work plan is a detailed plan outlining the tasks, milestones, and timeline for the project or initiative that the funding will support. The beauty of the agreement is basically the deliverables. They are the specific outcomes or products that the funded project is expected to produce within a given timeframe. After creating a work plan and deliverable you need to plan the budget. A breakdown of the financial resources allocated to different aspects of the project, including expenses such as personnel, equipment, and materials. It is very important to keep the invoices of the expenses.

Aurat Foundation successfully conducted a three-day training workshop on “Common Ground Approach (CGA)” for Women Peace Architects (WPAs) of Sindh and Balochistan at Marriott Hotel, Karachi from 22nd – 24th April, 2024. Through the training, WPAs received guidance and strengthen their capacities in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, to reflect on conflicts of their own lives. They were also able to enhance their skills and knowledge regarding counter-violent extremism in “Pakistan’s context”.

Ms Aya Abu Sitteh, Master Trainer, SFCG, Jordan facilitated the sessions in the CGA workshop. Aya is the Country Director, Search for Common Ground, Jordan. She is a Human rights advocate, passionate leader and eager peacebuilder for youth, women and security in the Middle East and North Africa. Expert in devising strategies, strong networking skills and policy advisor in social development. While the regional office staff of SFCG, Ms Anais Thizy, Project Officer, Regional Officer SFCG, Kyrgyzstan and Mr Kumarbek Kainazara, Regional Finance Specialist, SFCG, Kyrgyzstan was also a part of this training.

In the closing ceremony of the three-day training workshop, Mr Shahid Rahim, Program Manager, SFCG said that we are working with Aurat Foundation since 2 years now and our main focus is women empowerment and inclusion of women in decision making. As Aurat Foundation has a lot of expertise and great contributions towards women empowerment so we collaborated and designed a project in which we gathered women from all over Pakistan and created a diverse group of 75 Women Peace Architects (WPAs). We trained these women on Common Ground Approach (CGA), Transforming Violent Extremism (TVE) and Professional Leadership Skills (PLS).

Ms Shahid said that in our society women are most effected but still they are not made part of any decision making or policy making. Several factors contribute to this sidelining of women in policy-making. These include traditional gender roles and stereotypes that limit women’s participation in public and political spheres, as well as structural barriers such as unequal access to education, resources, and decision-making positions.

Ms Mumtaz asked the chief guest to look for spaces present in Sindh Assembly for the inclusion of women in these peace committees. We prepared this group of 75 Women to have the appropriate skill and knowledge to perform well if they are made a part of such committees. They could know their role and how these women can play their role as dividers and connectors and how they can use this Common Ground Approach.

The Chief Guest, Ms Shaheena Sher Ali, Minister for Women Development Department, Sindh thanked Aurat Foundation for making her a part of this event. She said that she attended the first event of Aurat Foundation in 2013 and learned a lot from them. I also belong to Baloch community. The belief within the Baloch community that women cannot venture outside their homes without male accompaniment reflects a deeply entrenched patriarchal mindset. Such beliefs not only restrict women’s freedom of movement but also perpetuate gender inequalities and limit their opportunities for education, employment, and participation in public life. But I broke this stereotype and stepped into politics.

She said that if we want to bring change in our society start from your home because change often begins at home. By fostering a positive and nurturing environment within our families, we can cultivate values of empathy, compassion, and respect that contribute to personal growth and strengthen family bonds.

Ms Shaheena said that Aurat Foundation has always been a great support for us in our journey. My office is always open for any service that is required by Aurat Foundation or these Women Peace Architects. She also said to ensure the inclusion of 33% women in Peace Committees.

Ms Malka Khan, Regional Manager, Aurat Foundation Closed the event with a song related to women’s empowerment

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. 

Venue: Marriott Hotel Karachi

Date: January 03, 2024

Meeting with the Law department, Sindh Child Protection Authority and Sindh Human Right Commission to discuss the finalization of the Rules of Business for the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013 on January 03, 2024 at Marriott Hotel Karachi.

Venue: Hotel Mehran, Karachi

Date: January 05, 2024

A Dialogue was held to discuss the Feminist Manifesto with the political workers of different political parties on January 05, 2024 at Hotel Mehran, Karachi.

Venue: Moven Pick Hotel, Karachi

Date: January 15, 2024

Under Women’s Voice and Leadership – Pakistan AF organized a Seminar on Challenges in the Implementation of Pro Women and Labour Laws – Sindh was held on January 15, 2024 at Moven Pick Hotel, Karachi. Panel Discussions was conducted on Domestic Violence bill, Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013 and Labour Laws. Theatre Performances were also conducted by a local theatre group displaying the issues related to domestic violence and child marriages. Experts on the relevant topics also shared recommendations for the improved mechanisms for the implementations of these laws.

Venue: Marriott Hotel, Karachi

Date: January 25, 2024

Legislative Watch Group – AF organized a consultative meeting for sharing the Feminist Manifesto with the leaders and workers of the political parties, media personnel’s, government department and civil society members January 25, 2024 at Marriott Hotel Karachi.

Aurat Foundation collaborated with the Women’s Learning Partnership (WLP) to organize a 3-Day National Training Institute 28-30 December 2023 at Park Lane Hotel, Lahore. This initiative primarily targets women actively involved in advocating for women’s progress and serving as leaders within their communities. In the workshop, participants gained insights into WLP’s training methodology and acquired specific tools and strategies aimed at promoting women’s leadership, political engagement, and human rights.

Around 22 women leaders participated. The training drew participants from various sectors, including staff members of local women’s rights organizations, media professionals, lawyers, academia, political activists, and representatives of local government. Attendees were from the province of the Punjab.

In the end of training, women leaders hold a press conference and presented the charter of demand:

1. Ensure that women rights are a priority area for manifestoes of all political parties.
2. Ensure the effective implementation of women’s quota in political party structures, including decision-making bodies and candidate nominations.
3. Political parties shall mandate comprehensive training programs for women within political parties, covering leadership skills, political strategies, and issue-based advocacy.
4. Both political parties and election commission shall ensure strict anti-harassment policies not only within political parties but also on the digital spaces to create a safe and inclusive environment for women to actively participate in the political process.
5. Launch public awareness campaigns to promote the importance of women’s political participation and challenge stereotypes, fostering a supportive public opinion.
6. Allocate sufficient funds to support women candidates during election campaigns, addressing financial barriers that hinder their active involvement.
7. Ensure transparent, merit-based selection criteria and process for nomination of women on reserved seats.
8. Government shall ensure 33% representation of women in local government.
9. Election Commission of Pakistan shall ensure Implementation of measures to enhance the accessibility of polling stations, taking into consideration the unique needs and challenges faced by women, including those in rural and remote areas.
10. Both political Parties and ECP shall ensure developing and disseminating gender-sensitive voter education programs to inform women about their rights, the importance of voting, and the electoral process.
11. Government shall ensure and implement enhanced security measures around polling stations to ensure the safety of women voters and candidates, especially in areas prone to political violence or where women are barred to vote.
12. Election Commission shall ensure transparent reporting and publication of gender-disaggregated data related to electoral processes, providing insights into women’s participation at every stage.

Women and Youth Needs to Equipped with Knowledge in Multiple Roles of Peace-Building
Dr. Syed Mohsin Naqvi, a Religious Scholar said that creating and promoting fraternity and harmony among various communities could help ensure peace and prosperity in society. He also emphasized that women and youth should be equipped with knowledge in multiple different roles of peace-building through training, enhancing their potential, and utilizing it at their maximum for the improvement of the community. The Consultation was organized on December 22, 2023, at the Marriot Hotel, Karachi. A total of 83 (23 male, 59 female) individuals participated. Apart from this, members of the local government, representatives of political parties, police, and law enforcement agencies, police, health, nursing, education, human and women rights commissions, prominent lawyers, academia, students, media, NGOs, CSOs, Individual experts and think tanks other participated.

Ms. Nuzhat Shirin, Chairperson Sindh Commission on the Status of Women highlighted that during recent times, the role of women in making and shaping peace has been widely acknowledged. She emphasized that implementing these commitments would be a first step toward utilizing all available resources to establish and sustain peace. To promote the peace at grassroots level, there is a need to empower the local governments and women's rights commission. Awareness should increase among society on passed CVE laws and increase the women's participation in leadership positions. It could be possible through joint efforts.

Shahid Rahim, Senior Programme Specialist, SFCG said that we should struggle for the elimination of unjust social and economic relations, including unequal gender relations. The active inclusion of women in prevention and response strategies enables them to play a crucial role in fostering sustainable peace.

Ms Mahnaz Rehman, Resident Director Aurat Foundation said that the exclusion of women from peace processes directly discriminates against half of the population, depriving them of involvement in meaningful political change and the promotion of peace and harmony. She said that women's gender perspective and engagement in the peace process can lead to long-term advances for women's equality.

Ms. Sania Asghar, Member, Women Peace Architects, Karachi said that Inclusion goes beyond advocating for women's participation in formal settings; it also involves acknowledging their impact in various contexts. Women have the potential to build peace in their homes, neighborhoods, communities, workplaces, and society at large.

Ms Mumtaz Mughal, Manager, SHE the Peacebuilder project highlighted She Peacebuilder project activities and shared the volunteer actions of WPAs. She said that building bridges among women's organizations and networks can offer considerable promise. The necessity to protect girls and women against violence, especially gender-based violence. There is a need to actively support women's inclusion and leadership in politics.

The session was moderated by Ms. Malka Khan, Provincial Focal person of SHE the Peacebuilder, Sindh

Aurat Foundation launched a project in Lahore to “promote the social and economic rights of women garment workers in Pakistan.

Mr. Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director AF spoke on "historical background of 16 Days of Activism & importance of Unite! invest to prevent VAWG". He said that the 16 Days of Activism Against VAWG is an annual international campaign. The campaign runs from November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10th, Human Rights Day. The dates were chosen to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that gender-based violence is a violation of human rights. Over the years, it has evolved into a powerful platform for organizations, governments, and individuals to come together, share information, and engage in activism to combat VAWG.



Naeem Mirza said that VAWG is a violation of their fundamental human rights and denies them the right to live free from fear and harm. For the sustainable change comes from addressing the root causes of violence and investing in initiatives that promote gender equality, education, and social justice. There is a need to focus on prevention lays the foundation for long-term, transformative change in attitudes and behaviors. Prevention measures can include educational programs, community awareness campaigns, and policy initiatives aimed at changing societal norms and attitudes.



Prof Dr. Rubina Hanif, Director at National Institute of Psychology gave a presentation on "Impact of Violence on human psyche", she emphasized that violence has far-reaching social and economic consequences, affecting the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The "No Excuse" approach promotes awareness, education, and activism to challenge and change the attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate violence. It underscores the idea that, irrespective of circumstances, there is no justification for abusive actions. We should encourage men and boys to be allies in the fight against gender-based violence by challenging traditional notions of masculinity and promoting healthy relationships.



Ms Alyia Mirza, Artist, Poetess, Human Rights Activists read her poetry on "women's empowerment". Ms. Alyia Mirza's poetry reflects the complexities of empowerment, recognizing that it extends beyond individual achievements to encompass systemic change. Ms. Alyia Mirza's poetry is a call to action, inviting all to contribute to a world where women's empowerment is not just an ideal but a lived reality. She inspires and ignites the flame of change through her powerful verses, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to witness the transformative power of her art.



Maqsooda Solangi, Coordinator, Women's Empowerment Unit gave presentation on 112 years of women's achievements in the world. She shared that through the struggle of women's movement, increased the representation of women in parliaments, as a head of state. 33 women got Nobel prize in different walk of life. Today, women are far more visible in sports than ever before. he Tokyo 2020 Olympics is projected to have close to equal representation of women and men competing for the first time in its history. The huge change can observe about women's representation and participation in traditional and no traditional institutions. They break the glasses. Struggle is going on.



Ms. Shumaila Tanvir, National Manager AF hold an assessment session with student on "Gender and human psyche" for exploring various aspects related to the intersection of gender and psychological well-being. She emphases that collective actions play a pivotal role in advocating for and promoting gender equality. In this regard, education serves as a catalyst for behavioral change, promoting a culture that rejects violence and embraces equality and respect. In the end, she offered vote of thanks to all.



Mumtaz Mughal, Director AF, she said that VAWG is a multifaceted issue deeply rooted in societal norms, power dynamics, and cultural attitudes. Addressing it requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach involving various stakeholders. The "Unite! Invest to Prevent VAWG" message encourages stakeholders to allocate resources strategically, advocate for policy changes, and work collectively to create a world free from gender-based violence.



The Seminar was moderated by Ms. Areas Jabeen Awan, Programme Officer AF. Ms. Nelofar Kiran Rauf, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Psychology, Mr. Asim Malik, Director Outreach and Network AF, Zoya Mufti, Programme Officer, Huma Naqvi, Shahzad Ashraf, Mr. Irfan Ul Haq, (AF team), faculty members of department, students and media were there.

Aurat Foundation with collaboration of District Women Protection Center Rawalpindi commemorated World Aids Day on 1st December, 2023 under sixteen days of activism. The was being attended by social welfare departments, Darul Aaman, kashana, lawyers, victims of GBV and others at District Women Protection Center- Rawalpindi. The program was started with the recitation of holy Quran.   

 16 Days of Activism was kick started with its launching ceremony at Islamabad Office with the students of QAU on 28th November, 2023. 

AF organized consultation on Building Bridges for Women in Peace on 22nd Nov. 2023, at Shelton Rezidor Hotel, Peshawar. The speakers were Dr. Faiz Ullah Jan, Chairman, Journalism and Mass Communication Department, University of Peshawar, Ms. Zohra Aslam, Director General, Benazir Income Support Programme, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ms. Amna Durrani, Director Programmes, KP Commission on the Status of Women, Ms. Saeeda Shaheen, Gender Desk Officer, Police Department, Peshawar, Ms. Shabeena Ayaz, Resident Director Aurat Foundation, KP, Ms. Ishrat Batool, Educationist, Women Peace Architects, D.I. Khan and Ms. Samreen Hakeem Advocate, Women Peace Architects, Swat. A total of 81 participants, including 21 males and 60 females, attended the CWG in Islamabad. The event also attended by former local government members, political party representatives, law enforcement agencies, BISP, health and education authorities, human and women’s rights commissions, prominent lawyers, academia, students, media, NGOs, CSOs, experts, and think tanks.

Dr. Faiz Ullah Jan, Chairman, Journalism and Mass Communication Department, University of Peshawar, said that understanding the context of extremism is indeed crucial for addressing issues related to peace and stability in Pakistan, as well as in any other region facing similar challenges. We should need to identify the common factors and drivers of extremism. Without understanding the historical and political context of extremism and terrorism, peace is not possible. He further said that education is a powerful tool to build learners’ resilience to violent extremism. It helps strengthen their commitment to non-violence and peace, in particular by addressing hateful and violent narratives.

Ms. Zohra Aslam, Director General, Benazir Income Support Programme, KP shared that women who are economically empowered and have an active role in decision-making processes are less likely to be vulnerable to extremist ideologies. Women are well-connected within their communities. They can act as effective early warning systems, identifying signs of radicalization or potential threats and intervening before individuals become fully involved in extremist activities. She also emphasized that youth can play a significant role in countering extremist content on digital platforms. They can use social media and other online spaces to promote positive narratives and challenge extremist ideologies. There is need to sanitize and train young women and youth in conflict resolution, mediation, and community leadership and common ground approach.

Ms. Amna Durrani, Director Programmes, KP Commission on the Status of Women, said that Commission is playing active role in law and policy making. A number of pro women laws has been passed. She briefly shared about laws and initiatives taken by KP government to protect women and marginalized groups. She said that preventing violent extremism, is a comprehensive approach that aims to address the root causes of violent extremism and prevent individuals from radicalizing toward violence.

Ms. Saeeda Shaheen, Gender Desk Officer, Police Department, Peshawar, said that law enforcement, including the police, plays a critical role in CVE and PVE. She said that to reduce GBV, violence against women and girls and to stop the radicalization process before it leads to violence, there is needed to strengthen the interagency and community coordination mechanisms. She said that collaboration and coordination among various government agencies, departments, civil society, religious leaders, community activists, women leaders, educational institutions and stakeholders involved in PVE efforts can build trust and contribute to early detection and prevention.

Ms. Shabeena Ayaz, Resident Director Aurat Foundation, KP talking about opportunities and spaces for women’s inclusion in the implementation of CVE/PVE laws and policies, she said that women should be included in decision-making bodies, task forces, and committees responsible for shaping and implementing CVE/PVE policies. The active engagement of women in the formulation of policies can ensure that the diverse needs and concerns of women are considered.

Speakers urged the stakeholders to give more voice to women and highlight their role in different sectors of society at a consultation session organized by Aurat Foundation at a local hotel. Encouraging women's participation in all sectors of society is essential for achieving gender equality. This includes equal opportunities for education, employment, and leadership roles.

Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Chairman, of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) addressed the gathering and said that our understanding of religion has issues. He said that the government has taken the reins off public schooling and education and has handed this over to the private sector in order to make money and profit. He said that CII has given a recommendation that the national policy of education needs to be reviewed.

Dr. Qibla said that we also have problems as individuals. He said that there is a mental construct among men in this country that women are weak and they cannot work. He urged organizations such as the Aurat Foundation to raise this issue. He added that men also have to raise their voices for women's issues and stand with them.

Ms. Naela Chohan, Special Federal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that males and females both have separate responsibilities given by God Almighty. All young men and women should be taught how to respect and behave towards each other and we need an empowering environment as well. To ensure the peaceful society, there is a need more inclusive and equitable society where women's voices are heard, and their contributions are acknowledged and valued.

Dr. Zia-ul-Haq, Director General of the Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University, Islamabad spoke next and said that Aurat Foundation's data on women is considered the most authentic and original throughout the country. He said that a few people began the countering violent extremism (CVE) project of Paigham-e-Pakistan and now thousands of people are part of this movement. He said that primarily the Paigham-e-Pakistan project is about behavioral change. Dr. Zia further added that women in Pakistan these days are not safe from their protectors. He said that although we claim to be a very religious society in actuality we are not the best followers of Islam.

Dr. Shabana Fayyaz, Head of the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad said that she was the only woman from her family to start working. She said that the general perception in society is that men cannot eat from a woman's income; however, these perceptions are changing. Additionally, she said that we have not invested in training the women of our country. As an educationist, we have to reduce the violence in our society.

Ms. Beenish Fatima, Deputy Director Cyber Crime Wing, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said that first, we need to understand what is extremism. She said that extremism is prevalent in our society, in our educational institutions, etc. in different forms. Furthermore, she said that men in homes are in positions of authority but in their offices, they are not. She said that since the male has been given a dominant status in society we feel the need of males to accompany a woman everywhere. She said that the economy will never be able to grow if half of the society remains in their homes and does not engage in productive work.

Mr. Kashif Irshad, Advisor to the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture of Pakistan said that women's involvement in peacebuilding is vital for creating lasting peace, as they bring unique perspectives and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable solutions. Recognizing and supporting their roles is a key element of advancing peace and security worldwide.

Mr. Shahid Rahim spoke about the need and purpose of the SHE-The Peacebuilder project and introduced it to the gathered audience. He said that a house is created by a builder or an engineer but the beauty of the house is brought out by an architect. He further added that we will organize several other consultations in different provincial capitals in the coming months and will glean recommendations regarding peacebuilding and the role of women in peacebuilding.

Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, Director Programme said that it is vital to ensure adequate representation of women in decision-making processes, both in the public and private sectors. This can include mainstream policies that support women's participation in leadership positions.

Aurat Foundation organized a three-day training workshop on ‘Professional Leadership Skills for WPAs of ICT, Punjab and KP’ from 6th- 8th August 2023 at O’Spring Estate, Murree. The three-day workshop was facilitated by senior communications expert Mr. Farnood Alam. The main objectives of the three-day training workshop was to strengthen the capacities of WPAs in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, to reflect on conflict in their own lives,  discussing and exploring the different approaches to managing the conflicts and to enhance their skills and knowledge regarding countering violent extremism in Pakistan’s context. The topics were covered during the training; Women’s Journey through Time, Leadership, Communication and Public Speaking, Lobbying and Advocacy, Women’s Leadership historical perspective and Negotiation and BATNA.  

A total of twenty-nine (24) people participated in the training workshop. 19 Women Peace Architects (4 from ICT, 9 from Punjab, 5 from KPK and 1 from Sindh) while the staff of Aurat Foundation and a Master Trainer also participated. The participants belonged to different walks of life and there was representation from different political parties, social activists, lawyers, media, students, teachers, etc. WPAs were from different ethnic groups and religious minorities including transgender people. 

In closing ceremony of three day workshop, Mr Naeem Mirza shared his thoughts that how are WPAs can apply best practices for Lobbying and Advocacy and become the future Leaders. All these women present here are great leaders and speakers but after this workshop you all will be able to professionally learn the skills and able to Communicate. Over the course of one year, the WPAs of ICT, Punjab and KP have grown and learned a tremendous amount of things and will continue to work for peacebuilding initiatives in their respective fields.

Mr. Shahid Raheem said that we made a new proposal in order to continue this project and that proposal got accepted. We have selected 100 youth members who are experts in different fields of life like sports, media, literature and social activist etc. All our existing 50 WPAs will work with them in future on their current action plans that they are already working on.

Mr. Naeem Mirza and Mumtaz Mughal thanked the organizing team and the gathered participants and said that we will continue to make efforts to empower the women of this country. In the end, the guests of the workshop awarded the certificates to WPAs. AF team presented the souvenirs to the guests. 

Objectives

There were three main objectives for this session.

1. The first objective was to strengthen police official’s capabilities, to enhance their knowledge and sensitize them on the concepts to effectively play their role in Peacebuilding and understand the process.

2. The second objective was to equip them with relative knowledge and make them understand and realize the unbiased and unprejudiced aspects of their personalities.

3. The third objective was to make them understand the broader perspective of Conflict management and how to react in a situation of conflict and their part being in a law enforcement department.

Facilitators

Ms Imrana Komal and Aeras Jabeen Awan facilitated the session. They are one of the Women Peace Architects (WPAs) of KP and Punjab.
This session was a part of their action plan that they made during the Common Ground Approach training workshop and successfully implemented the learning of CGA training during this session.

Feedback of Participants

Police official that fall under the rank of SHO in near future participated in this session. We received a great feedback and participation from them. They got so emotional and expressed their feelings that “such type of efforts to create Peace, understand each other’s pain and relate it is a great act and a great initiative by Aurat Foundation”.

They said that “at the start of session when we saw people from an NGO sector we were very disappointed as we had a completely different perspective about NGOs and their agendas in our minds but after the session we realized that what great efforts these organizations are putting forward and especially Aurat foundation is working for such a great cause and their method of disseminating the message of Peace is perfect and is according to international standards.” 

The Police officials also added that “while performing these activities we felt like a small child and realized the unbiased and unprejudiced aspect of our personalities.”

The most amazing outcome of these activities was that they were able to have a self-reflection and were able to look at the fact that we are human first and other identities come later. This essence of humanity is important for peace building and conflict resolution.

Closing Remarks by Mr Malik Amir

At the end Mr Malik Amir, Course Commander Police Training School, extended special thanks to Aurat Foundation team and the Women Peace Architects for conducting a successful session for police officials.

He also appreciated AF for providing this learning opportunity to the police officials and thanked all the participants for benefitting from this training session and participating effectively. He also asked all the participants for commitment of serving humanity at their best without any discrimination or creating their own perspective. He took pledge from all the participants that whoever visits you at your duty station Greet him or her with warmth as to be in uniform our responsibility increases more towards our country and play our role as a Peacebuilder.

After a thorough consultative process, an introductory meeting was held on 16th June, 2023 at PACP office where representatives of PACP i.e., Mr. Azhar and Dr. Atif, while Ms. Sidra from UNDP participated. Ms. Shamaila Tanvir, project Manager along with regional head of Punjab Ms. Sarah Sheraz and Legal Aid Desk Officers from all over Punjab, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Faisalabad, from Aurat Foundation participated.

The purpose of the meeting was to orient the PACP team about the objectives of the project as well as services offered by Legal Aid Desk Officers. Detailed discussion on stigma and discrimination linked with HIV, legal services to PLHIV or at risk of HIV, issues of PLHIV and sensitivity and confidentiality while dealing the cases of HIV or at risk of HIV was held.

Ms. Shamila Tanvir provided a detailed overview of the project. She also shared the roles and responsibilities of Legal Aid Desk Officers with them. She shared that the purpose of visiting ART centers was only to provide information about the legal assistance to be offered to PLHIV is free of cost. Such practices such as visiting ART centers and having interaction with PLHIV in order to sharing of information about their human and legal rights and legal assistance will pave ways to encounter stigma and discrimination against them.

Mr. Azhar shared that Punjab Aids Control Program (PACP) operates ART centers throughout Punjab, providing medical care to HIV-positive people while also working to prevent HIV transmission among key population and people living at risk of HIV. Legal Aid Desk officers offered visits to these centers. In order to make these visits more productive in a scheduled way, PACP requested to have introductory meeting with all legal Aid Desk Officers of Punjab.

Ms. Shamaila thanked the PACP for their precious time and availability and committing their assistance for the cause. It was a great meeting to provide clarity about the project interventions and role of partners.

Major Decisions:

• AF will share the first final plan of visits to ART centers of Punjab with Ms. Sidra. She will further share it with PACP for approval
• WhattsApp group has to be created for sharing of visit plan to ART centers after 1st round of visits.
• WhatttsApp group will be acted as sharing forum in order to share any relevant information

Output:

• Coordination mechanism has developed among AF, PACP and UNDP Lahore office.
• Legal Aid Desk Officers of Punjab are conducted meetings at ART centers after getting approval from PACP.
• A good working relation has developed with staff of ART centers
• IEC material i.e. Project Introductory Flyer has also been shared with Doctors at ART centers and displayed as well for further sharing with PLHIV who are visiting ART centers.
• WhattsApp group comprising representatives of PACP, UNDP, AF’s regional and national staff and Legal Aid Desk Officers has been formed.

Aurat Foundation organized the meeting with the women peace architects and community women leaders on 10th June 2023 at office of provincial National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR)at Quetta. The session was conducted by Professor Farkhanda Aurangzaib, Provincial NCHR. The circle provided a trusting atmosphere where the participants can feel comfortable to speak about challenges faced by women in advocating for gender and Women Peace Architects (WPS) issues in politics or in target districts, reflect on feedback, and navigate problem-solving towards the women’s inclusion in the TVE agenda in Pakistan.

The community women peace architects gave a valuable recommendation to ensure women’s inclusion in decision making. They said that there is need to increase the citizen trust, sense of ownership to control their resources by ensuring the local community participation and as well as in the decision-making process. There is a need to take affirmative actions to engage women in leadership and decision-making positions. Women also emphasized that there is required a pro-people governance reform in Balochistan. There is a need to revisit all planning and developments of Performa’s i.e. PC 1, through a gender lens. Need to set up and empower local government system (politically, administratively and financially) with maximum participation of all segments of society.

Professor Farkhanda Aurangzaib, Provincial NCHR said that women can play an important role in changing perceptions, breaking stereotypes and contribute towards nation-building. Ensure the women’s engagement in peacebuilding process and dialogues. The training curriculum should be updated and added all provincial laws passed in the provincial assembly and also needs to promote civic education.

Aurat Foundation organized a three-day capacity-building workshop on Transforming Violent Extremism (TVE) for Women Peace Architects (WPAs) on 7-9 June 2023 at Lourdes Hotel, Quetta. Around 35 WPAs of Sindh and Balochistan participated. The key objective of the training was to build the skills of WPAs on TVE/CVE and motivate the WPAs to action for changing behavior after receiving the training workshop at the personal, community, and workplace levels.

Mr. Sajid Pervez, an Expert on Conflict Transformation, Peacebuilding, Women's Peace, and Security conducted the training. The closing ceremony of the workshop was attended by the guests; Ms. Saleha Zakir Shah, Director CVE, NACTA, Ms. Shaina Khan, Media Coordinator to Chief Minister, Quetta, Ms. Fauzia Shah, Chairperson, Balochistan Commission for the Status of Women (BCSW), Prof. Farkhanda Aurangzeb, Member, National Commission for Human Rights, Balochistan, Ms. Jahanara Tabassum, Deputy Secretary, Women Development Department (WDD), Mr. Naeem Mirza, Executive Director, Aurat Foundation, and Mr. Allauddin Khilji, Resident Director Quetta, Aurat Foundation,

In the closing ceremony, Ms. Saleha Zakir Shah, Director Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) said that NACTA has a toll-free helpline 1717 which should be called in case of emergencies such as terrorism, anti-terrorism, or CVE related incidents. She said that NACTA recently invited vice-chancellors (VCs) of all the major public and private universities in order to introduce a peace course to the curriculum of all the universities. She added that in this course, we are proposing to trace the history of Pakistan from ancient history and the Indus Valley civilization (IVC) instead of the usual trend of tracing our history back to M. Bin Qasim's arrival on the Indian subcontinent. She said that there is a need to revive Sufi Islamic thought and NACTA is fully behind this effort.

Ms. Shah said that NACTA is ready to have one-on-one workshops and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) can be done with them in order to engage them in meaningful counter-radicalization activities. She said that NACTA has an active Twitter handle and the organization actively hosts a poster competition to which everyone should apply. She further said that we are ready to engage the youth in peace clubs in their universities since the youth has so much energy.

Ms. Fauzia Shaheen said that she started working and is in this position because of Ms. Nigar Ahmed and Ms. Shehla Zia, the founders of Aurat Foundation. She said that the next generation is aware and will perform better than us and said that after many years, the early child marriage bill has finally received approval from the Balochistan cabinet. She added that this is a big success and all the women who lobbied for its approval deserve special praise. Ms. Shaheen said that in the recent floods, women suffered tremendously and were not given the same medical treatment as their male counterparts due to the rescue staff being untrained to help women. In response to this, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is rolling out a gender matrix for the first time. This matrix will have detailed guidelines on how to deal with women during disasters. She said that there is also a need to have gender cells in the more male-dominated environment departments. She further said that a clause regarding harassment of female journalists has been added to the Balochistan Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act.

Ms. Shaina Khan, Media Coordinator to the Chief Minister, Balochistan emphasized that the nucleus of PVE is women and youth. We need to ensure the inclusion of a gender perspective across all our PVE activities and create a local-level mechanism to prevent all forms of violence against women.

Prof. Farkhanda Aurangzeb, Member, National Commission for Human Rights, Balochistan, said that preventing violent extremism is a commitment and obligation under the principles and values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. To be effective and sustainable and in line with Member States’ obligations under international law, all legislation, policies, strategies, NAPs, and practices adopted to prevent violent extremism must be firmly grounded in the respect for human rights.

Ms. Jahanara Tabassum, Deputy Secretary of the Women Development Department (WDD), Balochistan said that with the support of women's rights organizations, we need to devise strategies to engage with community-based organizations and develop and implement a Local Action Plan with the support of local resources.

Mr. Naeem Mirza, Executive Director of Aurat Foundation said that we need to empower our women so that they are able to make decisions that are beneficial for themselves and other women. He said that such training workshops are important in furthering the CVE agenda and are the need of the hour because of the extremist and intolerant society we find ourselves in. Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, the Project Manager, moderated the event.

A three-day training workshop on “Professional Leadership Skills” was organized by Aurat Foundation on 4th – 6th June 2023 in Ziarat, Balochistan. The objectives of the training were to improve the leadership skills and activities of women waging peace, with a focus on ensuring the mental and general health of the women, supporting social networks, and, building women’s capacities in peace-negotiation, leadership and, civic engagement skills, as well as expanding their income-generating opportunities through occupational training to improve socioeconomic status.

The session was conducted by Mumtaz Mughal, Director Programmes, AF, Malka Khan, Senior Programme Officer, Karachi, Mr. Waqar Ahmed, Programme Officer SHE The Peacebuilder, Mr. Saleem Shah, Communication Specialist, AF, Mr. Asim Malik, Director Outreach and Network and Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director, AF training team covered different topics of leadership skills including leadership, types of leadership, leadership qualities,advocacy, lobbying and networking, alliance building communication, and negotiation skills.

While taking the leadership session, Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director AF, shared that decades of studies show women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, inspire organizational dedication, and improve fairness. Despite these benefits, only 10% of Fortune 500 companies are led by women. A dedicated struggle is needed to bring women as peace and political leaders.

Women have their own potential to build peace in their homes, neighborhoods, communities, workplaces, and society at large. Hence, their active participation in the peacebuilding process is essential to ensure sustainable peace. In Pakistani traditional society has not allowed both women and men to equally participate in society in developmental and political issues. Now, there is a need to speak up for each gender. It is important to ensure that both genders are involved in policy making and legislative work.

Malka Khan, Senior Programme Officer, Karachi, conducted the session by exploring the answer to the question; Why women should have an equal share of leadership decision-making? Why women’s participation in the peace negotiation process? Barriers to women’s effective participation in decision making? How WPAs can break these barriers and ensure women’s participation in decision making and peace talks? She divided the participants into groups. After thorough discussions in the groups, each group gave their presentation.

Mr. Waqar Ahmed, Programme Officer SHE the Peacebuilder, conducted the session on is negotiation skills. He defined the “Negotiation Skills” by sharing that negotiation is back-and-forth communication designed to reach agreement while leaving the other side intact and positive. After holding the brainstorming exercise, he will share the key elements of negotiation on power point:

Mr. Saleem Shah, Communication Specialist, AF, conducted the session on communication skills. Recognizing the importance of communication skills to leadership, this session deals with concepts and methods that will help the WPAs harness their skills.

Mr. Asim Malik, Director Outreach and Network The session will start with brainstorming exercise of What is networking? What are the benefits of networking as a group of WPA? He explained that a network provides a structure that allows members to cooperate, color plate share experiences, expertise, and resources, and pull their power together to bring about change. Networking is a means of securing greater national, regional, or international cooperation which can strengthen the impact of activities carried out by community-based organizations. He explained that successful networking helps to:

At the end of the workshop, certificated were given to participants and group photo was also taken.

A Consultative Working Group (CWG) meeting was organized by Aurat Foundation (AF) on 1st June 2023 at the Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel, Lahore.

Objectives of the CWG meeting

The main objectives of the consultative working group (CWG) are given below.

1. to build working relationships among women peace architects and diverse state and non-state actors, and
2. to support critical thinking around women’s inclusion in TVE strategies and policies.

Participants profile

A total of 72 people participated in the CWG meeting in Lahore. There were six (06) Women Peace Architects (WPAs) from Punjab while the staff of Glow Consultant, Aurat Foundation, SFCG, and Officials of USAID Consulate and Embassy also participated.
Apart from the above, current and former Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs), former inspector general of Punjab Police (IGP), prominent lawyers and members of academia also participated in the CWG.
The representatives of USAID embassy from Islamabad and team of SFCG also participated.

Proceedings of the CWG meeting

List of Speakers:

3. Sher Ali, Reporter the News International
4. Sumaira Samad, Secretary Women Development Department (WDD), Govt. of Punjab
5. Nabeela Javeed, Secretary, Punjab Commission on the Status of Women
6. Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Principal Jamia Naeemia
7. Moulana M. Abdul Khabir Azad, Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (Imam Badshahi Masjid)
8. Dr. Bushra Jamil, Superintendent Police, Punjab Police
9. Sarmad Saeed, Former Inspector General of Police (IGP)
10. Ghalib Bandesha, Former Inspector General of Police (IGP)
11. Prof. Dr. M. Nizamuddin, Pro-Rector, Superior University
12. Mian Imran Masood, Vice-Chancellor, University of South Asia
13. Bushra Butt, Ex-MPA, PML-N, Punjab Assembly
14. Mr. Nadeem Ashraf, Member National Commission of Human Rights Punjab

The participants were different walk of life included supreme court, high court bar association, media, civil society, women headed ngos, lawyers, women peace architects, representatives of political parties, ex. Councilors and parliamentarians, acedmia, sports, youth and others.

Recommendations of CWG meeting:

15. Women Development Department and PCSW ensured that women will be included in the peace committees as per the Punjab Fair Representation Act 2014.
16. Police representatives said that they will are willing to get their field staff trained on common ground approach (CGA).
17. Participants also recommended that “Peace” as a subject should be in training curriculum of police training.
18. Gender sensitization and CVE training sessions should be integral part of police and other law enforcement agencies.
19. There is a dire need to build the capacity of CTD department.
20. Members of the academia gave their consent that peacebuilding should be added as a separate chapter in their curriculum. It should be add from primary to high school curriculum.
21. A module on human rights should be sensitively developed without segregating women rights as separate from human rights; and our heroes should not remain limited to men, but female figures should also be included in curriculum.
22. The civil society representatives and WPAs said that women should be included in the decision-making process and should be included in the district peace committees.
23. Promote inclusion of women in the decision-making positions in their respective governments as well as in regional and international organizations.
24. The parliamentarians and former members of provincial assembly’s said that a peace caucus should be formed in the national and provincial assemblies.
25. A training programme should be initiated for parliamentarians on National Action Plan and security policies
26. The Khateeb of Badshahi Mosque gave a recommendation that during the Friday prayer sermon (khutba) there should be a brief section on peacebuilding and the importance of peace building.
27. Community awareness and sensitization programme on peace and tolerance should be needed to initate at community level.
28. A larger awareness programmes should be launched on NPA, provincial laws related to CVE through media and civil society organizations.
29. Implementation of CVE related laws should be on priority and funds should be allocated in this regard.
30. There is no evidence or data to prove that the purpose of the law to control hate speech and misuse of sound system by extremists has been achieved.  There is complete absence of Parliamentary oversight/ report to Assembly and the Provincial Assembly is not being informed on the utility and enforcement of CVE related laws.  There is need to devise a mechanism to monitor the progress of law.
31. We need to have female role models and ambassadors at every level of institutions that we support.
32. There is need to make more Women Peace Architects to accelerate women’s role in peacebuilding and countering violent extremism in society.

Best practices should be highlighted through mass media.

18th April 2023 – Senator Sherry Rehman, Minister for Climate Change said that climate action and women are not niche subjects but they are central to our system. She said that Pakistan is at the frontlines of climate change and there should be a climate emergency declared in Pakistan.

According to Senator Sherry Rehman, women are better consumers of nature, they have very little to work with and have very low disposable incomes and it is the women who make the wheels of our agriculture and economy turn. She added that women are responsible for running a household but yet these numbers do not show up in the official data. She made these remarks at a seminar organized in a local hotel by Aurat Foundation and SAP-Pk under the JAZBA programme.

The seminar included representation from all the major political parties as well as participation from the disabled and transgender community. It also included civil society organizations, women political workers, academia and media.

The welcome remarks at the opening of the seminar were given by Mr. Naeem Mirza, Executive Director Aurat Foundation. He welcomed all the participants to the seminar and said that climate change is actually global warming. He hinted towards the current imbroglio between the Supreme Court and the incumbent government and added that the temperature is very high everywhere, including in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Parliament and other places. He said that we should aim to control this temperature and focus our energies on combating climate change.

He said that major contributors towards carbon gas emissions come from two countries, 29% from China and 31% from the USA.

Dr. Aliya Hashmi Khan, retired professor of Economics and former Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University and who also serves as a member of the general body of AF, spoke next. She said that over the years Aurat Foundation’s work has expanded in a number of different directions but it. Climate change is not being taken seriously in the context of gender.  She added what does it mean for the women of Pakistan. She cited the labour force statistics and said that if the total employed women in Pakistan then 68% work in the agriculture sector. Agriculture is not a homogenous sector but it also includes livestock as well. Women are not recognized as agriculture workers in the labour force statistics and they do not receive their due social protection due to this. She said that it is even more important for Pakistan to recognize the women who work in the agriculture sector.

The most important message coming out from today’s deliberation is collecting periodic and updated information and data, especially on women working in agriculture and related activities. Labour force classifies women as an employee but there is no chamber for agricultural self-employed people and there is no women representation to speak about this fact. At the end of her brief talk, she said that we cannot solve the issues of injustice without looking at a holistic picture and this report is very important in this regard since it talks about inter-government partnerships, partnerships with the donor community and also of the movements women are engaged in.

Ms. Simi Kamal, researcher and environmentalist presented the key findings of the research report. Her presentation was titled ‘Women at the Forefront of Climate Action’. She said that this report is more of a think piece and aims to highlight major factors

She said the booklet is divided into five sections and starts from the basic concept of climate change, current global institutional architecture for climate change, the impact of climate change in Pakistan and policy response, and the final section talks about developing the platforms for climate action led by women. She said the time has come for women to take over the task of rebuilding the earth and its resources for a safer climate, equitable living conditions and environmental justice. She further added that global economies are failing to produce economic, environmental and social justice for people and planet Earth and said that the current mantra of ‘build back better’ will never deliver until we challenge the current capitalist and development paradigms of perpetual growth in a finite world.

Ms. Kamal said that moving to a global economy based on zero growth and eventual de-growth seems essential to severely curtail and then end fossil fuel emissions. She said that almost 30 million people have been affected by the recent floods in Pakistan. She said that the way forward includes long-term, medium-term and short-term measures and actions. She said that demonstration of political will by federal & provincial governments should be a priority. In the medium term, we need to make the water ministry and the flood commission more effective, changing the narrative around women and climate change as well as developing an extensive training program on ecosystem-based adaptation.

In the very short term, we need to be able to know globally but act locally. One way to mitigate climate change is by putting women on key committees as well as developing programs for selected climate-vulnerable areas in different geographical zones.

Ambassdor Shafqat Kakakhel, Chairperson Board of Governors SDPI, praised the researcher for producing a very useful booklet on climate change and how to deal with it. He said that the short, medium and long-term measures given in the report are all achievable and he hopes that Pakistan can summon the political will and mobilize the resources in order to achieve this task. He concluded by saying that we are at a crossroads and it is for humankind to decide whether we will be able to save the planet from climate change-related disasters.

Ms. Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada, said that we need to create strong partnerships among national and international actors focused on climate change. She said that it is a part of her organization, Club de Madrid’s main aims and objectives.

Luke Myers, Counsellor, Development and Head of Cooperation, Canadian High Commission, Islamabad said that today’s event is important to highlight the challenges Pakistan’s women face in their fight against climate change. He said that it is not a competition that which country is among the worst hit with regards to climate change since we are all facing extreme weather events.

Dr. Shahida Rehmani, MNA PPP and Secretary Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Pakistan, said that this is a very important subject and applauded the efforts of Aurat Foundation in organizing this seminar. She praised the qualities of the minister of climate change and said that Pakistani women are not behind anyone.

Irfan Mufti, Team Lead SAP-PK, said that the visuals and optics of this issue are daunting and that we have reached an incredible level. He said that we need to fight for our right’s share within the international arena and continue our battle against climate change.

Nousheen Khurram, National Programme Manager JAZBA moderated the function.

Aurat Foundation organized a 3-Day orientation workshop for Legal Aid Desk Officers of Sindh on 7 – 9 April 2023 at Hotel Mehran, Karachi where Legal Aid Desk Officers by way of targeted districts of Sindh, representatives of COBs, AF and UNDP participated. The objective of the workshop was to bolster the knowledge and skills of legal aid desk officers on issues affecting KPs, PLHIV, and people at risk of HIV.

The workshop was designed for capacity building and to enhance the apprehension of Legal Aid Desk Officers on the issues of KPs, PLHIV, or at risk of HIV moreover to provide them with details on the project, deliverables, legal framework, and resource channels accessible at the district and provincial levels. Additionally, they received training on work procedures, implementation strategies, and handling PLHIV or HIV-at-risk cases with dignity, esteem, and confidentiality.

To pique participants’ interest, various approaches were implemented. There were structured group activities, interactive sessions, plenary debates, and brainstorming sessions. During the workshop, aside from reading materials provided to the participants, PowerPoint slides and multimedia were also used as teaching aids. The attendees avidly engaged in the discussions and added to the proceedings with their extensive field knowledge.

Ms. Shamaila Tanvir, Project Manager provided the project introduction while Ms. Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director gave presentation on Sex vs. Gender, and concepts of GBV. Ms. Irum Khan, UNDP Islamabad and Dr. Rabnawaz from UNDP Karachi hold the sessions on stigma and discrimination linked with PLHIV & KPs, and basic information on HIV.

An opportunity was also made available for COBs to join and communicate with the Legal Aid Desk Officers during the second portion of the first day in order to further coordinate and carry out activities.

Sessions were held on the second day of the workshop on 'Social Inclusion in the Context of KPs', 'Overview of Constitutional, National and Provincial Legal and Policy Frameworks for the Protection of Human Rights of PLHIV or at Risk of HIV', and 'Mapping Exercise of Referral Mechanisms for Protection of KPs PLHIV or at Risk of HIV'.

Ms. Kalepna Dev Advocate, Additional Attorney General provided a brief presentation on the legal framework available for the protection of KPs, PLHIV, or at risk of HIV.

The legal aid desk officers drafted their action plans on the third day of the course and presented them at the conclusion of the session. Work methods and implementation plans were carefully examined and decided upon.

Ms. Shamaila Tanvir, Project Manager, Aurat Foundation, Islamabad, moderated and facilitated the workshop. Ms. Malka Khan, Regional Manager, Karachi gave closing remarks and expressed gratitude at the conclusion of the workshop.

3-Day orientation workshop for Legal Aid Desk Officers of Punjab was held on 22nd – 24th March, 2023 at Maisonette Hotels & Resorts, Lahore where Legal Aid Desk Officers from focused districts of Punjab, representatives of COBs, UNDP and AF participated. 

Mr. Sher Ali, Khalti, reporter of “The News” group of Pakistan moderated the session by asking the questions “what are the TVE issues at home, community, provincial level and what are causes. The event was organized on 22nd March 2023 at Lincoln Corner, Arfa Karim Tower, Lahore.

He said that there is need to implementation on laws especially implementation on national plan of action. There is need to break the glass ceiling and increase the percentage of women for senior roles or positions at workplaces. By engaging men and boys constructively within the communities as advocates for gender equality. Ms. Mumtaz Mughal Said that social-cultural humiliated practices against women are existed in our society. There is need to promote policies that support the rights of girls, women and other marginalized groups.

WPAs of Punjab gave the recommendation including; a fully functional women’s protection system should be present in all major districts of South Punjab alongside a well-functioning oversight mechanism. Special attention needs to be paid to the situation of women from non-Muslim communities, since they become victims of double discrimination. Use gender-synchronized approaches that engage men and women in transforming norms, balancing norms and balancing the power within families.

Aurat Foundation organized a three-day training workshop on "Transforming Violent Extremism for Women Peace" Architects of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab on 19-21 March 2022 at Masonite Hotel, Lahore. Through the training, WAPs improved individuals' attitudes and practices on identity and understanding of conflict and violence, increased sensitization about the impact of violence, sensitized about women's role in peacebuilding and women's inclusion in public spheres and developed their action plans

In the closing ceremony of three-day workshop, Dr. Raana Malik, Chairperson Gender Studies Department of the University of Punjab addressed as a Chief Guest. She said that when we talk about inclusiveness it means the inclusion of all types and kinds of gender. She further said that women are an important part of the peace-making process. But even when women are included in these processes they don’t have any say or any right to decision-making. She said that just the inclusion of women in the system is not important but the role of these women and their participation is equally important.

Dr. Malik said that more capacity-building workshops like these should be conducted. She added that there are two types of inclusion, one is of the women who come on reserved seats, they have no decision-making or no right to speak and no one takes them seriously but on the other hand, there are women who contest, and get a position on merit. They are respected and asked for discussions. We need to make the women aware and empower them to contest for general seats.

Mr. Naeem Mirza, Executive Director of Aurat Foundation said that we need to empower our women so that they are able to make decisions that are beneficial for themselves and other women. He said that such training workshops are important in furthering the CVE agenda and there is a need of the hour because of the extremist and intolerant society we find ourselves in. He also thanked Dr. Raana Malik and the gathered participants and said that we will continue to make efforts to empower the women of this country.

Ms. Mumtaz Mughal said that the training will increase the coordination and collaboration among women peace architects, government and civil society stakeholders, and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism and conflict.

Ms. Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director AF Sindh, and member of mediator group formed by civil society to dialogue with political parties conducted a study circle of WPAs of Sindh on 9th March 2023 at Lincoln Corner of Pakistan American Culture Center, Karachi. In circle, participants identify the key issues of gender, politics and peace in their communities and province with the potentiality for violent conflict. They said that there are many issues related to gender including; discriminatory education system and curriculum, harassment at public and workplaces, lack of implementation of pro-women laws, lack of women's participation in decision-making at home, in public places, and politics, increased in the ratio of VAWG, Restriction on women's and girls' mobility regarding safety and protection and there is weak rehabilitation and protection mechanism.

WPAs devises a number of recommendations to improve the inclusion of women in peacebuilding processes at provincial and national decision-makers. There is need to ensure the participation of WPA's in interfaith harmony meetings. There is need to arrange a sensitization session for justice provider institutions for free and fair justice for all.
She said that there is need to ensure the inclusion of women in the peace committees by ensuring the representation of all ethnic and religious groups. Government should create economic empowerment initiatives for the rehabilitation of terrorist attack survivors.

Aurat Foundation organized a three-day workshop for WPAs of Sindh and Balochistan on the Common Ground Approach, Understanding of Radicalization, and Best Practices of Gender Engagement in PVE on 6-8 March 2023 at Marriott Hotel Karachi. The main objectives of the CGA training workshop were; to straighten the capacities of WPAs on a common-ground approach, to offer guidance and strengthen the capacities of WPAs in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, and to reflect on conflict in own their lives, to explore the different approaches to managing conflict, to enhance their skills and knowledge regarding counter-violent extremism in Pakistan's context" and Motivating the WPAs to actions for changing behavior after receiving the CGA workshop at the personal, community, and workplace levels.

Based on their learnings, WPAs developed their action plans to replicate the training in their respective communities and circle of influence.

The closing ceremony was attended by the guests; Dr. Masuma Hasan, President, Board of Directors, Aurat Foundation, Ms. Anastasia Kolivas, Public Diplomacy Officer, US Consulate Karachi, Ms. Gulshan Batool, Community Engagement Assistant, US Embassy Islamabad, Ms. Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director Aurat Foundation Karachi & Ms. Muneezeh Saeed Khan, Programme Specialist, AF Karachi. Addressing the closing ceremony, Dr. Masuma Hassan, President, Board of Directors, Aurat Foundation thanks Search for Common Ground and the US Embassy for their generous support for such important and wonderful work.

Dr. Masuma Hasan, President, Board of Directors, Aurat Foundation shared that in 2000, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 1325, the first time the international community formally recognized either the impact of conflict on women or the need to involve them as active agents in peacebuilding. UNSC Resolution 1325 made an important contribution to the normative framework for the protection of women and girls in armed conflict. She said that In its first National Security Policy (2022-2026), the Government of Pakistan recognized 'gender security' as a key pillar and aimed to "ensure integration of gender equity into national security narratives through full and meaningful participation of women in decision-making, law enforcement, justice sector, and peacekeeping.

Mahnaz Rehman, Resident Director, Aurat Foundation, Sindh said that in a society such as Pakistan, where patriarchal norms and structural inequalities have restricted women and girls to the margins of the society, entrenched challenges hinder women's meaningful participation in public and political spheres. Existing inequalities exacerbate sociocultural differences and disparities in access to rights and services, magnifying the gender divide in conflict and crisis scenarios. There is a need to strengthen local women's groups and CSOs towards building a peace network of local organizations, building their knowledge and capacity on conflict prevention, and implementing gender-sensitive interventions.

Ms. Gulshan Batool, Community Engagement Assistant, US Embassy Islamabad apricated and spoke high words for Aurat Foundation and SFCG for organizing very learning workshops for WPAs. She said that the US Embassy is working to strengthen women's capacities for promoting peacebuilding. They are working with local organizations for socio-economic recovery and building their skills to strengthen women's leadership. The CGA workshop is a unique training to build the skills of WPAs.

Mr. Shahid Rahim, Senior Manager Programs SFCG thanks AF for the selection of wonderful WPAs for the promotion of peace. He said that exclusion from democratic processes, cultural norms, social biases, and militant violence further dissuade youth and women's participation in the civic space. There is also a need to give a voice to women and to involve them in meaningful decision-making; change itself requires a transformation of patriarchy-ridden culture, procedures, strategic narratives, and support system and an evolution in perceiving personal commitments.

Ms. Mumtaz Mughal said that the project will also provide platforms and spaces for WPAs to improve their joint influence and expertise in the peace process. She further said that women's equal participation in decision-making is not only a demand for justice and democracy but can also be seen as a necessary condition for women's interests to be considered. Without the perspective of women at all levels of decision-making, the goals of equality, development, and peace cannot be achieved. In the end, the guests of the workshop awarded the certificates to WPAs. AF team presented the souvenirs to the guests. A group photo was also taken.

A three-day training workshop on the Common Ground Approach (CGA) was organized on 23rd – 25th January 2023 at Hillview Hotel, Islamabad for Women Peace Architects (WPAs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad.

The main objective of this training workshop was to train and enhance their skills and knowledge of on Common Ground Approach, Understanding of CVE & TVE, Gender, and Role of Women in PVE. The following contents were covered; Understanding your role as facilitator (Trainer? Coach? Teacher? Facilitator?), What makes a good facilitator? My identity- key concepts, defining conflict and violence, the visible and invisible dynamics in conflict, responding to conflict, Perspectives and perceptions, Conflict analysis, Peace and climate justice, and revealing common ground.

The training was conducted by Mr. Shahid Rahim, Senior Manager of Programmes, Search for Common Ground-Pakistan. He is an expert on Common Ground Approaches. Ema Miroslava Fong, Conflict Resolution and psychosocial Practitioner, Conflict Transformation, and Trauma Awareness Trainer conducted several sessions on CGA. She has professional experience and expertise in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and preventing or countering violent extremism in fragile and conflicted areas. & Mr. Ali Hammad, Executive Director, of Shaoor Foundation and expert on CGA also conducted the session on perspectives and perceptions, the visible and invisible dynamics in conflict.

The closing ceremony was attended by Dr. Maria Effendi Ph. D, Ethnic Conflict Resolution (SPIR-QAU, Islamabad), Assistant Professor, Peace and Conflict Studies, National Defence University. Dr. Riffat Haque, Assistant Professor: Peace & Conflict Studies Department, Mr. Ali Hameed, Executive Director, Shaoor Foundation, Mr. Aqeel Khan, Executive Director, Kadam Consultant Company, Mr. Saeed Khan, Executive Director, GLOW Consultants, Ms. Gulshan, Representative of the S Embassy in Pakistan, Ms. Tabinda, Representative of the US Embassy in Pakistan.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the workshop, Dr. Maria Effendi, Assistant Professor, of Peace and Conflict Studies, at National Defence University said that women's equal participation in decision-making has been recognized in all walks of life. All government and nongovernment organizations affirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and emphasized the importance of their equal participation and full involvement. She also said that Women's inclusion in peacebuilding processes is essential for long-term success and prosperity in communities.

Dr. Riffat Haque, Assistant Professor of the Peace & Conflict Studies Department said that Systematic and representative inclusion of women in a broad range of peace and security issues is not only important to ensure a successful negotiation, but also for ensuring that women's interests are being addressed. She acknowledged the AF efforts for women's empowerment in Pakistan. She emphasized that there is a need to increase coordination and collaboration among women peace architects, government and civil society stakeholders, and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism and conflict and promoting peace.

Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director of AF said that through Aurat Foundation programming we strengthen the skills and expertise of communities and civil society in peacebuilding; gender, peace, and security and justice sector reform. Peace begins from home and individual small actions. She said that the AF program 'She Peacebuilder' is a unique initiative to build the capacities of women community leaders.

At the end of the training, there were improved individuals' attitudes and practices and developed local action plans for women's inclusion in public spheres. WPAs developed twelve (12) individual and collective action plans by adopting the CGA approach.

Aurat Foundation organized a three-day workshop for Women Peace architects (WPAs) so that they can effectively participate in the peacebuilding process and increase their knowledge and skills making them capable to collaborate with government and civil society stakeholders. The training workshop was organized on 23-25 January 2023. The participants of the training were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad. Overall, thirty-one (31) were participants.

The main objective of this training workshop was to train the women peace architects (WPAs) to enhance their skills and knowledge regarding national laws and policies for the promotion of peace and enhance their capacities in peacebuilding processes at the local to national level. She apricated AF efforts and said that She Peacebuilder will build the capacity of women peace architects to enhance their role in peacebuilding and counter violent extremism in Pakistan.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the workshop, Dr. Maria Effendi, Assistant Professor, of Peace and Conflict Studies, at National Defence University said that women's equal participation in decision-making has been recognized in all walks of life. All government and nongovernment organizations affirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and emphasized the importance of their equal participation and full involvement. She also said that Women’s inclusion in peacebuilding processes is essential for long-term success and prosper communities.

Dr. Riffat Haque, Assistant Professor of the Peace & Conflict Studies Department said that Systematic and representative inclusion of women in a broad range of peace and security issues is not only important to ensure a successful negotiation, but also for ensuring that women's interests are being addressed. She acknowledged the AF efforts for women's empowerment in Pakistan. She emphasized that there is a need to increase coordination and collaboration among women peace architects, government and civil society stakeholders, and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism and conflict and promoting peace.

Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director of Aurat Foundation said that through Aurat Foundation programming we strengthen the skills and expertise of communities and civil society in peacebuilding; gender, peace, and security; justice sector reform. Peace begins from home and individual small actions. She said that the AF program ‘She Peacebuilder' is a unique initiative to build the capacities of women community leaders.

Aurat Foundation organized a three-day workshop for Women Peace architects (WPAs) so that they can effectively participate in the peacebuilding process and increase their knowledge and skills making them capable to collaborate with government and civil society stakeholders. The training workshop was organized on 23-25 January 2023. The participants of the training were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad. Overall, thirty-one (31) were participants.

The main objective of this training workshop was to train the women peace architects (WPAs) to enhance their skills and knowledge regarding national laws and policies for the promotion of peace and enhance their capacities in peacebuilding processes at the local to national level. She apricated AF efforts and said that She Peacebuilder will build the capacity of women peace architects to enhance their role in peacebuilding and counter violent extremism in Pakistan.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the workshop, Dr. Maria Effendi, Assistant Professor, of Peace and Conflict Studies, at National Defence University said that women's equal participation in decision-making has been recognized in all walks of life. All government and nongovernment organizations affirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and emphasized the importance of their equal participation and full involvement. She also said that Women’s inclusion in peacebuilding processes is essential for long-term success and prosper communities.

Dr. Riffat Haque, Assistant Professor of the Peace & Conflict Studies Department said that Systematic and representative inclusion of women in a broad range of peace and security issues is not only important to ensure a successful negotiation, but also for ensuring that women's interests are being addressed. She acknowledged the AF efforts for women's empowerment in Pakistan. She emphasized that there is a need to increase coordination and collaboration among women peace architects, government and civil society stakeholders, and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism and conflict and promoting peace.

Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director of Aurat Foundation said that through Aurat Foundation programming we strengthen the skills and expertise of communities and civil society in peacebuilding; gender, peace, and security; justice sector reform. Peace begins from home and individual small actions. She said that the AF program ‘She Peacebuilder' is a unique initiative to build the capacities of women community leaders.

Aurat Foundation organized a three-day workshop for Women Peace architects (WPAs) so that they can effectively participate in the peacebuilding process and increase their knowledge and skills making them capable to collaborate with government and civil society stakeholders. The training workshop was organized on 23-25 January 2023. The participants of the training were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad. Overall, thirty-one (31) were participants.

The main objective of this training workshop was to train the women peace architects (WPAs) to enhance their skills and knowledge regarding national laws and policies for the promotion of peace and enhance their capacities in peacebuilding processes at the local to national level. She apricated AF efforts and said that She Peacebuilder will build the capacity of women peace architects to enhance their role in peacebuilding and counter violent extremism in Pakistan.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the workshop, Dr. Maria Effendi, Assistant Professor, of Peace and Conflict Studies, at National Defence University said that women's equal participation in decision-making has been recognized in all walks of life. All government and nongovernment organizations affirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and emphasized the importance of their equal participation and full involvement. She also said that Women’s inclusion in peacebuilding processes is essential for long-term success and prosper communities.

Dr. Riffat Haque, Assistant Professor of the Peace & Conflict Studies Department said that Systematic and representative inclusion of women in a broad range of peace and security issues is not only important to ensure a successful negotiation, but also for ensuring that women's interests are being addressed. She acknowledged the AF efforts for women's empowerment in Pakistan. She emphasized that there is a need to increase coordination and collaboration among women peace architects, government and civil society stakeholders, and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism and conflict and promoting peace.

Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director of Aurat Foundation said that through Aurat Foundation programming we strengthen the skills and expertise of communities and civil society in peacebuilding; gender, peace, and security; justice sector reform. Peace begins from home and individual small actions. She said that the AF program ‘She Peacebuilder' is a unique initiative to build the capacities of women community leaders.

Aurat Foundation organized a three-day workshop for Women Peace architects (WPAs) so that they can effectively participate in the peacebuilding process and increase their knowledge and skills making them capable to collaborate with government and civil society stakeholders. The training workshop was organized on 23-25 January 2023. The participants of the training were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad. Overall, thirty-one (31) were participants.

The main objective of this training workshop was to train the women peace architects (WPAs) to enhance their skills and knowledge regarding national laws and policies for the promotion of peace and enhance their capacities in peacebuilding processes at the local to national level. She apricated AF efforts and said that She Peacebuilder will build the capacity of women peace architects to enhance their role in peacebuilding and counter violent extremism in Pakistan.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the workshop, Dr. Maria Effendi, Assistant Professor, of Peace and Conflict Studies, at National Defence University said that women's equal participation in decision-making has been recognized in all walks of life. All government and nongovernment organizations affirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and emphasized the importance of their equal participation and full involvement. She also said that Women’s inclusion in peacebuilding processes is essential for long-term success and prosper communities.

Dr. Riffat Haque, Assistant Professor of the Peace & Conflict Studies Department said that Systematic and representative inclusion of women in a broad range of peace and security issues is not only important to ensure a successful negotiation, but also for ensuring that women's interests are being addressed. She acknowledged the AF efforts for women's empowerment in Pakistan. She emphasized that there is a need to increase coordination and collaboration among women peace architects, government and civil society stakeholders, and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism and conflict and promoting peace.

Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director of Aurat Foundation said that through Aurat Foundation programming we strengthen the skills and expertise of communities and civil society in peacebuilding; gender, peace, and security; justice sector reform. Peace begins from home and individual small actions. She said that the AF program ‘She Peacebuilder' is a unique initiative to build the capacities of women community leaders.

Aurat Foundation organized a three-day workshop for Women Peace architects (WPAs) so that they can effectively participate in the peacebuilding process and increase their knowledge and skills making them capable to collaborate with government and civil society stakeholders. The training workshop was organized on 23-25 January 2023. The participants of the training were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad. Overall, thirty-one (31) were participants.

The main objective of this training workshop was to train the women peace architects (WPAs) to enhance their skills and knowledge regarding national laws and policies for the promotion of peace and enhance their capacities in peacebuilding processes at the local to national level. She apricated AF efforts and said that She Peacebuilder will build the capacity of women peace architects to enhance their role in peacebuilding and counter violent extremism in Pakistan.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the workshop, Dr. Maria Effendi, Assistant Professor, of Peace and Conflict Studies, at National Defence University said that women's equal participation in decision-making has been recognized in all walks of life. All government and nongovernment organizations affirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and emphasized the importance of their equal participation and full involvement. She also said that Women’s inclusion in peacebuilding processes is essential for long-term success and prosper communities.

Dr. Riffat Haque, Assistant Professor of the Peace & Conflict Studies Department said that Systematic and representative inclusion of women in a broad range of peace and security issues is not only important to ensure a successful negotiation, but also for ensuring that women's interests are being addressed. She acknowledged the AF efforts for women's empowerment in Pakistan. She emphasized that there is a need to increase coordination and collaboration among women peace architects, government and civil society stakeholders, and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism and conflict and promoting peace.

Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director of Aurat Foundation said that through Aurat Foundation programming we strengthen the skills and expertise of communities and civil society in peacebuilding; gender, peace, and security; justice sector reform. Peace begins from home and individual small actions. She said that the AF program ‘She Peacebuilder' is a unique initiative to build the capacities of women community leaders.

Aurat Foundation organized a three-day workshop for Women Peace architects (WPAs) so that they can effectively participate in the peacebuilding process and increase their knowledge and skills making them capable to collaborate with government and civil society stakeholders. The training workshop was organized on 23-25 January 2023. The participants of the training were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad. Overall, thirty-one (31) were participants.

The main objective of this training workshop was to train the women peace architects (WPAs) to enhance their skills and knowledge regarding national laws and policies for the promotion of peace and enhance their capacities in peacebuilding processes at the local to national level. She apricated AF efforts and said that She Peacebuilder will build the capacity of women peace architects to enhance their role in peacebuilding and counter violent extremism in Pakistan.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the workshop, Dr. Maria Effendi, Assistant Professor, of Peace and Conflict Studies, at National Defence University said that women's equal participation in decision-making has been recognized in all walks of life. All government and nongovernment organizations affirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and emphasized the importance of their equal participation and full involvement. She also said that Women’s inclusion in peacebuilding processes is essential for long-term success and prosper communities.

Dr. Riffat Haque, Assistant Professor of the Peace & Conflict Studies Department said that Systematic and representative inclusion of women in a broad range of peace and security issues is not only important to ensure a successful negotiation, but also for ensuring that women's interests are being addressed. She acknowledged the AF efforts for women's empowerment in Pakistan. She emphasized that there is a need to increase coordination and collaboration among women peace architects, government and civil society stakeholders, and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism and conflict and promoting peace.

Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director of Aurat Foundation said that through Aurat Foundation programming we strengthen the skills and expertise of communities and civil society in peacebuilding; gender, peace, and security; justice sector reform. Peace begins from home and individual small actions. She said that the AF program ‘She Peacebuilder' is a unique initiative to build the capacities of women community leaders.

Aurat Foundation in collaboration with WLP organized a three-day national training of trainers Institute at Islamabad. Around 20 women activists participated from different walk of life women leaders of local government and social activists from different departments and person with disabilities. The training was conducted by the trained resource persons. The training involved an in-depth exploration of women’s leadership role to climate adaptation techniques for local women leaders, democratic political participation as well as discussion of nature of violence committed against women. The training covered The group also refined their strategic communications and messaging to advocate their rights. 

The objectives of the training were to develop the inclusive, participatory, and horizontal leadership. AF trainers conduct the training sessions follow by “Leading to Choices” developed by the Women’s Learning Partnership for their partners. Leading to Choices is designed to be easily adapted to suit diverse cultural, political, and socio-economic needs of different audiences.

The trainees explored the strategies and made their action plans for strengthening the full, equal and meaningful participation and influence of women and girls where injustice occurs. They made their plans to  promote women’s and girls’ full and equal participation and leadership in the designing and implementation of climate change, environmental policies and programmes moving forward. They highlighted that climate change has driven women into greater poverty. Many types of natural resources that used to be easily available and free, such as drinking water and native plants for foods, have diminished or are completely gone. In addition to the lack of resources, women who are facing direct confrontation. They get anxious, distressed, and experience a great sense of hopelessness. Women, are becoming more vulnerable to disaster-driven displacement due to informally created roles and responsibilities and male-controlled customs. Women tend to experience an incidence of sexual and gender-based violence, human rights abuses, an economic uncertainty, a lack of access to information, services and resources, along with discrimination in employment and land rights.

They will do efforts to amplify the voices and knowledge of marginalized women, including indigenous women, older women, women with disabilities, migrant women and those living in rural, remote, conflict and disaster-prone areas.

Ms Romina Khurshid Alam, Convener national parliamentary taskforce SDGs said that organizing a capacity-building session on emerging social media for MPAs and political activists is a great initiative to enhance the outreach, communication, and engagement efforts of these critical conservation areas. It provides a platform for constituents to hold politicians accountable for their actions and promises. Social media is essential for political achievements because it provides an unparalleled platform for communication, engagement, and outreach. She was addressing in closing ceremony of 2-day capacity building training workshop of MPAs and members of women 's political participation on social media trends on 13-14 December 2022 at Best Western Hotel, Islamabad.

Ms Nosheen Khurram, National Manager AF JAZBA shared the programmes objectives that the session is organized for equip MPA professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize emerging social media platforms for conservation, outreach, and community engagement. This agenda aims to cover a comprehensive range of topics, from understanding social media platforms to practical content creation and ethical considerations. Interactive elements, such as hands-on exercises and group discussions, can enhance participant engagement and encourage the exchange of ideas and experiences.

Speaker Gilgit Assembly, Syed Amjad Zaidi said that women political activists can create official social media profiles for the political figure or party on popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. By using a consistent brand image and messaging across all platforms to educate the public about political issues, policies, and the impact of decisions.

Dilshad Bano, MPA PTI, GB Assembly said that social media can play success in politics is about building relationships, fostering dialogue, and creating a positive online presence. It requires a consistent and thoughtful approach to effectively communicate political goals and achievements to a diverse and often critical audience. She further said that Positive engagement can enhance a politician’s reputation, while effective crisis communication can mitigate negative impacts.

Raheela Hameed Durrani, Ex Speaker Balochistan Assembly said that politicians can tailor messages to specific demographics, ensuring their content reaches the most relevant audiences. Social media facilitates the creation of online communities and grassroots movements. Supporters can connect with each other, fostering a sense of belonging and shared values.

Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, Director Programmes said that social media platforms have massive user bases, allowing political figures and parties to reach a broad and diverse audience. They can increase visibility can help raise awareness of political agendas, campaigns, and achievements. Social media allows politicians to share information transparently, including policy details, achievements, and challenges.

An awareness session on pro women laws was organized at Panah Shelter home, Karachi to celebrate 16 Days of Activism by the Aurat Foundation. The session provided an opportunity to educate the survivors about the prevalence and different forms of gender-based violence, fostering a deeper understanding of the issue.Ms Malka Khan, Provincial Manager AF JAZBA programme conducted the session. She explained the background of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. She said that it is a global campaign that takes place annually from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day). The campaign aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence and advocate for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.

She gave an overview of provincial laws and policies especially highlighted the key features of The Sindh Domestic Violence Act 2013. The Act provides a comprehensive definition of domestic violence, which includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse, as well as any other harmful or offensive conduct. The Act emphasizes the importance of counseling and rehabilitation for both the victim and the perpetrator, with the goal of preventing further incidents of domestic violence. The legislation includes provisions for granting monetary relief to victims, which may include compensation for losses suffered as a result of domestic violence. he Act allows for the issuance of emergency protection orders in urgent situations to provide immediate protection to victims.

Ms. Rizwana, Incharge Dar-ul-Aman Rawalpindi said that shelters are part of the referral system that provide victims and survivors with temporary refuge, lodging and other services and link victims and survivors to medical, legal, economic and psycho-social services. The community is one of the most powerful tools of the anti-violence movement, for while communities can shame, victim-blame, or prescribe harmful gender roles, they can also empower women, collaborate on prevention and intervention, and collectively shape new norms of gender democracy. She said that we should empowering women and girls across their lifetime by keeping girls in school, empowering women economically, giving women cash support, engaging male allies, including women in decision-making at leadership level and supporting local women-led and women’s rights organizations. She was addressing during the awareness session on pro women laws for GBV survivors at Dar-ul-Aman, Rawalpindi on 3rd December 2023 organized by Aurat Foundation.



Ms. Shafaq Shahid, Programme Officer, Aurat Foundation said that we should keep ourselves, family and community healthy and protected. We should say no to any form of violence including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or economic violence. Nothing can be an excuse for violence against women.



Ms Samina Shoaib, political activist of PML (N) said that preventing gender-based violence (GBV) is transformational: it improves the heath of women and children, improves economic productivity and educational attainment, and reduces risks of mental illness and substance abuse, among other benefits. The UNITE to End Violence against Women initiative is a multiyear effort to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world. She gave the message that nothing can be an excuse for violence against women.



Syeda Begum, Executive Director Saadi Foundation said that Domestic violence is the most common type of GBV, impacting one in four women. But violence takes many forms, including: Femicide, the killing of a woman because of her gender. Domestic violence, including familiar and intimate partner violence. Several NGOs attempt to influence policy development in favor of poor and marginalized communities. She said that awareness-raising campaigns are essential to prevent gender-based violence at education institutions and community level

A consultation on "Constitutional and Electoral Reforms for Strengthening Accountability, Governance and Inclusion was organized in Karachi on 27 Oct 2022. Women and Human Rights Activist Anis Haroon, Farooq Sattar, MQM-Pakistan Firdous Shamim Naqvi, PTI, Kalsoom Chandio PPP, Shoaib Ahmed Advocate, Deputy Director, Sindh Election Commission, Mahnaz Rehman, Resident Director AF Sindh, Nosheen Khuram, Malka Khan and other civil society organization participated.

Women and Human Rights Activist, Ms. Anis Haroon chaired the session. In her concluding remarks, she suggested that political parties take a more democratic approach. ECP must take strict notice of, and action against, any informal agreements between political parties to prevent women from voting; including debarring/denotification of offending candidates. She said that all positions in women’s wings are filled through elections on the basis of lists of female members; and its office-bearers have sufficient representation in all party structures, particularly the decision-making bodies, e.g. central and provincial executive committees, parliamentary boards and parliamentary party forums etc.

Mahnaz Rehman, Resident Director AF Sindh shared the highlights of Electoral Reforms developed by Aurat Foundation in consultation of civil society organizations. She said that to ensure the constitutional safeguards, social inclusion and rights of marginalized people, there is need to amend the Constitutional Articles no 7, 25 and 27. She said that women should also be inducted in the ECP staff, at all levels, including district ECP offices.

Farooq Sattar, MQM-Pakistan said that there is need to establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority must be to the elected representatives. He fully supported the electoral reforms developed by AF and civil society organizations.

Firdous Shamim Naqvi, PTI, said that we are broad-based movement for change whose mission is to create a free society based on justice.

Kalsoom Chandio PPP, said that that the obstacle to women’s political participation stems from the larger context of socio-cultural, economic, politics and the institutions and the discursive frameworks operating within these structures. ECP should regular updating of electoral rolls; female personnel should be employed for female voter registration, with at least one female enumerator in each team across the country.

Shoaib Ahmed Advocate, Deputy Director, Sindh Election Commission, shared the ECP initiatives. According to him, a mass campaign on the right of women to vote, the importance of women’s vote and voting according to their own choice, is on air through mass media.

The participants emphasized  that federal government and political parties must hold thorough consultations to reach a consensus decision on reforming Constitution and Election Reforms to ensure meaningful participation of women in political era.

There is a need to reserve the 33 % seats for women in all categories of seats including union council chairperson and vice chairpersons in the Local Government. Modality of election on reserved seats for women should be direct, constituency based and filled through joint electorate. 33% representation of women should be extended through legislation in all monitoring committees and community-based structures in the Local Government Changes in the law to ensure the presence of women members in a quorum established for any council meeting. Gender budgeting and gender auditing of local government should be made mandatory through legal framework. Minimum of 33% budget should be allocated for women specific development projects and programs.

Ms. Fauzia Shaheen, Chairperson of Balochistan Commission on the Status of Women, said that effective implementation of electoral law. The election result of those constituencies where women are stopped to participate in LG election as voters and candidates should be declared null and void. She was addressing in Women’s Leaders Assembly organized by Aurat Foundation under JAZBA project at Balochistan Boys Scouts, Quetta on 27 October 2022.

Listing of discriminatory practices and social attitudes of LG functionaries against women such as non-availability of office space, separate toilets, not informing women councilors about meetings, not including women in budget making and development planning process, not allowing women to speak in sessions and not allocating development fund or giving them development grants less than their male colleagues and sanctions should be prescribed in the LGO for such gender discriminatory practices and behavior. Sanction should be imposed on district governments for the non-compliance of LGO.

Ms. Farkhanda Aurangzeb Member National Commission for Human Rights from Balochistan, Equitable representation of women in the political structure is not only important because it is simply a human rights issue. She further added that lack of capacity of women councilors was another key challenge. They were unable to aggregate and articulate women’s interests in an effective manner and did not succeed to make a radical shift in policy and development priorities in the local government. There is a need to build of gender capacity of members of councils at two levels; political and technical & institution and personals.

Ms. Shazia Riaz, Director Women 27thDevelopment Department Government of Balochistan hoped that the NCSW recommendations will help to pave the way for removing social, cultural and political constraints experienced by the women, particularly on the basis of their gender and to facilitate the relevant agency by making opportunity available to do the advocacy for developing an enabling environment for women’s empowerment and participatory democracy in Pakistan. She said that government adopted gender mainstreaming officially as a strategy to address the issue of gender disparities at the institutional level and ensure the integration of a gender perspective in government policy planning and practice.

Allauddin Kilii, Resident Director Aurat Foundation Quetta said that legislative change in Political Party Act 2017 is needed to make it mandatory to give 33% representation to women on the strategic leadership positions in the Central Committees, and decision-making position and also give 33% party ticket to women candidates. Legal cover to the Gender mainstreaming as an official strategy in the Local governance. Intersectional approach to gender. setting up a criterion for women to contest reserved for women.  It should be made mandatory for district governments to give honorarium to all councilors.

In the event, women leaders, political workers, representatives from bars association, civil society organizations, media, transgenders, women with disabilities, religious groups and others were participated in the event.

12 September 2022: Aurat Foundation celebrated International Democracy Day with the theme of “Inclusive Democracy: Challenges and opportunities in 2022” in collaboration with Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) Islamabad.

The event was attended by the Honorable Speaker National Assembly, Raja Parvaiz Ashraf, Secretary Women Parliamentary Caucus, Dr. Shahida Rehmani, Senator Sana Jamali, Senator Krishna Kumari, Member National Assembly, Farrukh Khan and large number of media, academia and civil society representative including representatives of PWDs and transgender communities. On the eve, Ms. Kishoo Bai, Senator of PPPP, Ms. Sana Jamali, Senator from Balochistan,

Naeem Mirza, Exective Director AF, Ms. Abia Akram, ED STEP and founder of National Forum of Women with Disabilities, Ms. Maya Zaman, a transgender activist,
Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan, Raja Parvaiz Ashraf said that before 1970, the population of Pakistan was 10 crores and out of those, only 40,000 people in East Pakistan and 40,000 people in West Pakistan were allowed to vote on behalf of their communities. Hence, only 80,000 people voted to bring in the representatives of 10 crore people. He said that democracy in Pakistan is young and needs time to mature like its western counterparts.

Mr. Naeem Mirza, executive director Aurat Foundation (AF), said that from 2008-2013 women legislators were very active in the parliament and this showed through their work since most of the legislation regarding women’s rights was done during this period. He said that democracy has become a value in the modern age and further stated that out of the all 190+ countries put together, only Bangladesh and Pakistan have a clause inserted into their constitution which says that breaking the constitution itself is a criminal offence and carries the death penalty.

Ms. Abia Akram, founder of the national forum of women with disabilities in Pakistan, spoke candidly at the seminar. She said almost all of us were brought to the venue on a wheelchair, which she explained in this manner that the cars we sit in and travel in, has a wheel and a chair, just like the wheelchair of a disabled person. She further said we need to finish systematic barriers in Pakistan which stop the disabled people from excelling in any field.

Ms. Maya Zaman, a transgender activist, said that presently there is a debate ongoing about who is a real transgender? She said that the protection act of the transgender has been challenged in court by a right-wing political party who says that all transgeders are fake.

Ms. Kishoo Bai, senator of PPPP, said that the majority should not be afraid of a tiny minority and allow them to live freely in Pakistan. She said that we need to stand up for minority rights as it benefits the society at large. She also thanked her party co-chairman Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari due to who’s support she is in the senate of Pakistan.

Ms. Sana Jamali, Senator from Balochistan told a harrowing tale of the damage that the recent floods have wreaked in her native province. She said that rainfall was ongoing for a consecutive 18 days and that Balochistan usually received only 10 mm of rain. However, during the recent floods, it received a huge 240 mm of rain which has destroyed the infrastructure of Pakistan’s largest Balochistan. She said that around 60,000 women are pregnant and are due to give birth in the next few months and they are not getting any sort of medical care which their situation requires.

AF conducted Introductory meeting of Women’s Access to Justice Advisory Group under WAJIB Project on 16th August 2022. Ms. Farkhanda Aurangzaib, member NCHR, Fauzia Shaheen, Chairperson BCSW, Musarrat Jabeen DG Social Welfare Department, Shazia Riaz Director WDD, Jahan Ara Tabasum Deputy Secretary WDD, Hiba DD, SWD, Ruqiya Taj DD WDD, Zarghoona Tareen SHO Women Police Station, Sobia SHO Cantt Police, Sana Durrani Chairperson EVAW/G Alliance, Ayub Tareen, Executive member Bar Council, Amir Ali Coordinator Helpline 1089, Zulfiqar Durrani Head of sub office UNDP, Munira from UNDP, Sadiqa from UNDP, Representatives from Ombudsperson office participated in the meeting.

Working tirelessly to uplift women, Ms. Nigar Ahmed is remembered for co-founding the Aurat Foundation, a respected organization dedicated to women’s empowerment since 3 decades. So great was her impact of her many efforts over her lifetime, Ms. Nigar Ahmed received the Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Life Time Achievement Award for her contributions, and was one of the 1,000 women proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Read on about her journey to empower women across Pakistan: http://www.fwbl.com.pk/media-center/special-reports/

Celebrating Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, FWBL pays tribute to iconic women whose legacies are strongly interwoven in the fabric of the nation’s heritage. Their remarkable achievements, in their own unique way, contribute to who we are as a nation today.

Working tirelessly to uplift women, Ms. Nigar Ahmed is remembered for co-founding the Aurat Foundation, a respected organization dedicated to women’s empowerment since 3 decades. So great was her impact of her many efforts over her lifetime, Ms. Nigar Ahmed received the Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Life Time Achievement Award for her contributions, and was one of the 1,000 women proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Read on about her journey to empower women across Pakistan: http://www.fwbl.com.pk/media-center/special-reports/

Celebrating Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, FWBL pays tribute to iconic women whose legacies are strongly interwoven in the fabric of the nation’s heritage. Their remarkable achievements, in their own unique way, contribute to who we are as a nation today.

Working tirelessly to uplift women, Ms. Nigar Ahmed is remembered for co-founding the Aurat Foundation, a respected organization dedicated to women’s empowerment since 3 decades. So great was her impact of her many efforts over her lifetime, Ms. Nigar Ahmed received the Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Life Time Achievement Award for her contributions, and was one of the 1,000 women proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Read on about her journey to empower women across Pakistan: http://www.fwbl.com.pk/media-center/special-reports/

Celebrating Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, FWBL pays tribute to iconic women whose legacies are strongly interwoven in the fabric of the nation’s heritage. Their remarkable achievements, in their own unique way, contribute to who we are as a nation today.

Working tirelessly to uplift women, Ms. Nigar Ahmed is remembered for co-founding the Aurat Foundation, a respected organization dedicated to women’s empowerment since 3 decades. So great was her impact of her many efforts over her lifetime, Ms. Nigar Ahmed received the Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Life Time Achievement Award for her contributions, and was one of the 1,000 women proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Read on about her journey to empower women across Pakistan: http://www.fwbl.com.pk/media-center/special-reports/

Celebrating Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, FWBL pays tribute to iconic women whose legacies are strongly interwoven in the fabric of the nation’s heritage. Their remarkable achievements, in their own unique way, contribute to who we are as a nation today.

Working tirelessly to uplift women, Ms. Nigar Ahmed is remembered for co-founding the Aurat Foundation, a respected organization dedicated to women’s empowerment since 3 decades. So great was her impact of her many efforts over her lifetime, Ms. Nigar Ahmed received the Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Life Time Achievement Award for her contributions, and was one of the 1,000 women proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Read on about her journey to empower women across Pakistan: http://www.fwbl.com.pk/media-center/special-reports/

Celebrating Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, FWBL pays tribute to iconic women whose legacies are strongly interwoven in the fabric of the nation’s heritage. Their remarkable achievements, in their own unique way, contribute to who we are as a nation today.

Working tirelessly to uplift women, Ms. Nigar Ahmed is remembered for co-founding the Aurat Foundation, a respected organization dedicated to women’s empowerment since 3 decades. So great was her impact of her many efforts over her lifetime, Ms. Nigar Ahmed received the Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Life Time Achievement Award for her contributions, and was one of the 1,000 women proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Read on about her journey to empower women across Pakistan: http://www.fwbl.com.pk/media-center/special-reports/

Celebrating Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, FWBL pays tribute to iconic women whose legacies are strongly interwoven in the fabric of the nation’s heritage. Their remarkable achievements, in their own unique way, contribute to who we are as a nation today.

After flood situation was getting worsen day by day. FF generated some fund and plan visit to Dera Ismail Khan and Tank on 3-5 August 2022. These both districts are far flung areas of KP and the assistance was not reached there. Another fact is these districts are among the poorest district in KP. It was dire need of the day to visit. Three-member team has visited these areas, met with women in affected areas. The miseries of the women of these areas were extremely painful. Their houses were damaged, completely or partially. They had lost their food, seed, livestock, their belongings, hygiene condition was worst. It was extremely hot weather and they were working in open air. They were suffering from skin and waterborne diseases. They want government to help them to reconstruct their houses, to help them for acquiring spring crops seeds. Cash disbursement was made after assessment.

During exposure visit to D I Khan and Tank, it was felt that women and children issues are not highlighted in media properly. The FF team taking the opportunity being in Dera Ismail Khan, team met with journalist there. FF shared assessment findings with media persons and discussed how to report women specific issues in media especially in disaster.

3rd August 2022: Aurat Foundation hold meeting with Women’s Parliamentary Caucus at National Assembly. Mr. Naeem Mirza, Executive Director AF presented the key recommendations for Electoral Reforms for Strengthening Democracy, Ensuring Social Inclusion and Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan. Meeting was chaired by Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, (MNA-PML-N), Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Law and Justice. Dr Syed Shahida Rehmani, (MNA-PPP) Secretary Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Javeria Zafar Akheer, MNA-PTI, Tahira Abdullah, Human Rights Activist, Mumtaz Mughal, Director Programme AF, Nosheen Khurram, National Manager AF JAZBA Programe, Hasan Hakeem and Umaima from UN Women and assembly staff participated.

The Key recommendations were given:

The following Article 25(2 & 3) of the Constitution of Pakistan (Chapter 1: Fundamental Rights and) may be substituted with:

Equality of citizens (2): (2) There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex, colour, race, religion or religious sect, caste, ethnic or social origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, language, maternity and birth.
Equality of citizens (3)
Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women and children, religious or ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and transgender people.

• Extend Constitutional provision re. reserved seats for women to 30 years (2023 = 50 years)
• Parliamentary review should hold every 10 years
• Use this time span to mainstream women in electoral politics on General seats
• Increase women’s reserved seats from 17% to 33% in all legislatures (federal, provincial, LG)
• ICT: 1 additional seat reserved for women
• Political Parties should increase ticket allotment from 5% to 15% minimum – all Houses/Assemblies. Ticket allotment based on women’s personal merit and track record, not dynastic or geographic imperatives
• Local governments: women 33%; elections through direct modality at all 3 tiers (further details in handouts/annexes) Includes:
• Transgenders (TGI 1%) + PWD women (14%) = 15% of 33% reserved seats
• Peasants-Farmers 5%
• Labourers-Workers 5%
• 33% women within religious Minority reserved seats
• 33% women on Youth seats

• 33% women at senior policy-making positions, e.g. Party CEC and Committees
• ECP to reduce or 100% waive fees & security deposits for women candidates – as incentive
• Political parties to bear 50% election campaign expenses of women candidates
• Political parties and State machinery to ensure women’s physical safety & cyber security
• (where necessary, no photographs in campaign ads).

Aurat Foundation (AF) in collaboration with South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP-Pk) organized a broad based consultation in Islamabad today, including political party reps, Sen. Taj Haider (PPP) and Ms. Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, PML-N, Parliamentary Secretary on Law & Justice. Other parties were invited too. Tariq Malik, NADRA Chairperson participated.  The Election Commission of Pakistan was invited. Paul Godbout, Counsellor Political, Canadian High Commission (CHC) attended, along with colleagues.

The consultation brought together a diverse and inclusive group, including civil society organizations, women political workers, party reps, activists, transgenders, PWDs, academia and media.

Naeem Mirza, Executive Director, AF and Irfan Mufti, SAP-Pk gave introductory remarks and the meeting objectives, to strengthen gender equality women’s political participation and ensure diversity. Mirza asserted that it is up to the political parties to ensure that the Parliament of Pakistan remains a sovereign entity and to focus on women in politics.

Human rights activist Tahira Abdullah presented key recommendations on constitutional and electoral reforms, including: extension of women’s reserved seats provision for the next 30 years, with a Parliamentary review every 10 years; increasing reserved seats from 17% to 33% in all legislatures and local government tiers; including reservations for transgenders (5%), PWDs  (10%), peasants (5%), workers (5%) and 33% women within reserved seats for religious Minorities; increased quantum of political party tickets for women contesting on general seats from 5% to 15% across the board; tickets to be awarded on ‘winnable’ and ‘electable’ seats; mainstreaming “Women’s Wings” outside the “zanana dabba”; increasing women’s political party membership at senior policymaking positions; training women legislators; and women to be appointed Chairs of 33% Standing Committees.

She listed gave a long list of items comprising ECP responsibilities: reducing fees and security deposit for women candidates; political parties to fund 50% of women’s election campaign expenses; ECP to urgently update electoral rolls; work with NADRA to ensure CNICs for all women above 18 with automatic voter registration; ensure privacy and security at women’s polling stations; recruitment, training and promotion of women staff at all tiers of ECP, including POs, DROs, and ROs; zero tolerance for illegal agreements for exclusion of women contestants or voters.

Harris Khalique of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) endorsed all the proposed reforms, saying we should not back down on these demands; activists should continue the movement for democracy and political rights.

Sen. Taj Haider, PPP, commended and endorsed all the proposed reforms and pledged to bring them to the PPP leadership and also to the PDM coalition, currently working on Electoral Law reform, which would be easier to achieve than Constitutional Amendment, requiring two-thirds majority vote.

Tariq Malik, Chairperson NADRA presented a list of all progressive measures he has initiated at NADRA for gender equality, TGIs and social inclusion; NADRA issues 125,000 CNICs daily, of which 56% are for women; the gender gap has decreased from 14.70% to 8.9% within one year.

The Chief Guest, Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, Parliamentary Secretary for Law & Justice commended this initiative, despite the polarized political environment. She pledged to continue working for women and children’s rights and bringing more marginalized women into the political process and promised to help include the proposed reforms in the draft Bill.

Paul Godbout (CHC) spoke the importance Canada places on women’s political participation and social inclusion. He was glad to see so much diversity in today’s gathering; local problems need local solutions to come from Pakistani civil society; programmes like JAZBA are of immense importance, bringing visible changes in gender equality.

Nadeem Kashish and Julie Khan spoke on TGI issues, while Imran and Zulqarnain Asghar highlighted PWDs’ problems.

In conclusion, Naeem Mirza thanked all participants and announced the formation of a working group to present the proposed reforms to the Law Ministry and Parliamentary Standing Committees.

A virtual Side Event during High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development organized by Aurat Foundation and Club de Madrid with collaboration of Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiative for SDG Unit, Islamabad. 

The workshop began with a formal introduction of all the gathered participants at 9:30 am. 

Aurat Foundation, in partnership with Club de Madrid (CdM), is supporting inclusive implementation of Agenda 2030 in Pakistan under Shared Society Project. The session was attended by Ruben Campos, Programme Coordinator, Club de Madrid, Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin, Club de Madrid Member, President of Mongolia (2009-2017), Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan/ Convener Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, Naeem A. Mirza, Executive Director Aurat Foundation. Ms Mangla Sharma, Member Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Ms. Mary James Gill, Former Member Provincial Assembly, Ms. Tanzila Ume Habiba, Member of the Provincial Assembly Sindh. Ms. Abia Akram, Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Programme, Pakistan, Shahzadi Rai, Transgender Activist, Mr. Ali Kemal, Chief SDGs Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The session was moderated by Ali Imran, Club de Madrid Senior Expert in Pakistan. The leaders of the vulnerable communities from across Pakistan to discuss and reflect on the VNR 2022.

Aurat Foundation, in partnership with Club de Madrid (CdM), is supporting inclusive implementation of Agenda 2030 in Pakistan under Shared Society Project. The session was attended by Ruben Campos, Programme Coordinator, Club de Madrid, Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin, Club de Madrid Member, President of Mongolia (2009-2017), Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan/ Convener Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, Naeem A. Mirza, Executive Director Aurat Foundation. Ms Mangla Sharma, Member Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Ms. Mary James Gill, Former Member Provincial Assembly, Ms. Tanzila Ume Habiba, Member of the Provincial Assembly Sindh. Ms. Abia Akram, Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Programme, Pakistan, Shahzadi Rai, Transgender Activist, Mr. Ali Kemal, Chief SDGs Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The session was moderated by Ali Imran, Club de Madrid Senior Expert in Pakistan. The leaders of the vulnerable communities from across Pakistan to discuss and reflect on the VNR 2022.

Key populations in Pakistan, have faced a range of legal problems and human rights challenges. Key Population and PLHIV have often faced discrimination, harassment, and violence in various aspects of their lives, including education, employment, healthcare, and housing. This discrimination can be both systemic and societal in nature. KPs and PLHIV have been disproportionately targeted for violence and hate crimes. Physical and sexual violence against them has been a serious concern, often leading to serious physical and psychological harm.

Ms Shumaila Tanvir, National Manager Programmes shared that the vast majority of cases referred to Legal Aid Desk Officers deal with issues like discrimination or other rights violations in health services, employment and housing opportunities, custody rights, unethical or abusive police behavior, prosecutions for sex workers and drug users, assaulting women and transgender people, issues with housing, disagreements over property, and family. A Visitor Database at Legal Aid Desks serves several important purposes in providing efficient and effective legal assistance.

• Enabled Legal Aid Desks to provide better assistance to their clients, improve their services over time, and contribute to a more just and equitable legal system.
• Supported AF and legal aid desk officer to identify patterns and trends in the types of cases that are most common or urgent. This information helps them allocate resources more effectively and adapt their services to meet the changing needs of their clients.

Facilitated the Legal Aid Desk to schedule appointments and provide updates on case progress.

This ensures that clients receive comprehensive assistance throughout the legal process. Aurat Foundation organized the 16 legal awareness sessions with 329 participants in ten districts of Punjab and Sindh. 

Aurat Foundation, in partnership with Club de Madrid (CdM), is supporting inclusive implementation of Agenda 2030 in Pakistan under Shared Society Project. The session was attended by Ruben Campos, Programme Coordinator, Club de Madrid, Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin, Club de Madrid Member, President of Mongolia (2009-2017), Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan/ Convener Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, Naeem A. Mirza, Executive Director Aurat Foundation. Ms Mangla Sharma, Member Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Ms. Mary James Gill, Former Member Provincial Assembly, Ms. Tanzila Ume Habiba, Member of the Provincial Assembly Sindh. Ms. Abia Akram, Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Programme, Pakistan, Shahzadi Rai, Transgender Activist, Mr. Ali Kemal, Chief SDGs Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The session was moderated by Ali Imran, Club de Madrid Senior Expert in Pakistan. The leaders of the vulnerable communities from across Pakistan to discuss and reflect on the VNR 2022.

Aurat Foundation, in partnership with Club de Madrid (CdM), is supporting inclusive implementation of Agenda 2030 in Pakistan under Shared Society Project. The session was attended by Ruben Campos, Programme Coordinator, Club de Madrid, Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin, Club de Madrid Member, President of Mongolia (2009-2017), Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan/ Convener Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, Naeem A. Mirza, Executive Director Aurat Foundation. Ms Mangla Sharma, Member Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Ms. Mary James Gill, Former Member Provincial Assembly, Ms. Tanzila Ume Habiba, Member of the Provincial Assembly Sindh. Ms. Abia Akram, Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Programme, Pakistan, Shahzadi Rai, Transgender Activist, Mr. Ali Kemal, Chief SDGs Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The session was moderated by Ali Imran, Club de Madrid Senior Expert in Pakistan. The leaders of the vulnerable communities from across Pakistan to discuss and reflect on the VNR 2022.

Aurat Foundation, in partnership with Club de Madrid (CdM), is supporting inclusive implementation of Agenda 2030 in Pakistan under Shared Society Project. The session was attended by Ruben Campos, Programme Coordinator, Club de Madrid, Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin, Club de Madrid Member, President of Mongolia (2009-2017), Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan/ Convener Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, Naeem A. Mirza, Executive Director Aurat Foundation. Ms Mangla Sharma, Member Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Ms. Mary James Gill, Former Member Provincial Assembly, Ms. Tanzila Ume Habiba, Member of the Provincial Assembly Sindh. Ms. Abia Akram, Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Programme, Pakistan, Shahzadi Rai, Transgender Activist, Mr. Ali Kemal, Chief SDGs Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The session was moderated by Ali Imran, Club de Madrid Senior Expert in Pakistan. The leaders of the vulnerable communities from across Pakistan to discuss and reflect on the VNR 2022.

Aurat Foundation, in partnership with Club de Madrid (CdM), is supporting inclusive implementation of Agenda 2030 in Pakistan under Shared Society Project. The session was attended by Ruben Campos, Programme Coordinator, Club de Madrid, Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin, Club de Madrid Member, President of Mongolia (2009-2017), Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan/ Convener Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, Naeem A. Mirza, Executive Director Aurat Foundation. Ms Mangla Sharma, Member Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Ms. Mary James Gill, Former Member Provincial Assembly, Ms. Tanzila Ume Habiba, Member of the Provincial Assembly Sindh. Ms. Abia Akram, Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Programme, Pakistan, Shahzadi Rai, Transgender Activist, Mr. Ali Kemal, Chief SDGs Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The session was moderated by Ali Imran, Club de Madrid Senior Expert in Pakistan. The leaders of the vulnerable communities from across Pakistan to discuss and reflect on the VNR 2022.