News - Aurat Foundation

Club de Madrid (CdM)

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.

Club de Madrid (CdM)

Meeting with Ms Romina Khurshid Alam, Convener national parliamentary taskforce SDGs

Ms Nousheen Khurram, National Program Manager Jazba and Mr Waqar Ahmed, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning officer met Ms Romina Khurshid Alam, MNA/Convener national parliamentary taskforce on SDGs at the National assembly building on 22nd June 2022. The visiting delegation from Aurat Foundation discussed different areas of collaboration with the honorable convener parliamentary taskforce on SDGs especially SDG 5 (gender equality).

Two-Days session on Role of Parliamentarians in Ensuring Gender Equality through Implementation of SDG 5 in Balochistan Province, Quetta

Aurat Foundation Quetta organized a Two-Days session on Role of Parliamentarians in Ensuring Gender Equality through Implementation of SDG 5 in Balochistan Province, Quetta in collaboration with South Asia Partnership Pakistan with the financial support of Global Affairs Ganada (GAC) on 15th & 16th July, 2021 in Quetta Serena Hotel.

The objective of this activity is that the role of parliamentarians and politicians, as publicly elected agents, representing voice of the common citizens, has been globally recognized as fundamental to the achievement of Agenda 2030. Because of their strategic foothold in the government, dialogue and debate led by the parliamentarians goes a long way, in mainstreaming and accelerating action plans on SDGs.

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted on 25 September 2015 by Heads of States and Governments at a special UN summit. The foundation of the 2030 agenda lies in 3 Principles: Universality, Integration and Leaving No one Behind. The Agenda is a commitment through 17 SDGs and 169 targets to eradicate poverty and achieve inclusive and participatory sustainable development by 2030 world-wide.

Pakistan was amongst the first countries to establish a Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs and declare the Global Agenda 2030 as its national agenda through a resolution of the parliament in 2016. This manifest highest-level political ownership of the global agenda and strong parliamentary accountability on the implementation of SDGs. National SDGs framework was approved by National Economic Council in March 2018 and provincial and states SDGs frameworks are in process of development and approval. The first secretariat of the Taskforce is established within the premises of the Parliament House at Islamabad. The Parliamentary SDGs Taskforces were established in all four provincial assemblies as well.

The parliamentarians in general, and Parliamentary Taskforces on SDGs in specific are mandated to review progress on implementation on SDGs, provide legislative support, aware fellow parliamentarians on Agenda 2030, ensure availability and commitment of resources for achieving the SDGs, and oversee the allocation and utilization of funds by the Federal as well as Provincial Governments.

Aurat Foundation, under Global Affair Canada supported Jazba Programme, is aiming to conducted two-day's session with the members of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan on their role in ensuring gender-equality through implementation of SDG-5. The main objectives of the session are to analyse current situation of SDG 5 in Balochistan Province, aware about the parliamentary tools to ensure its implementation, develop an action plan and ensure a cross-party political support for gender equality in the province.

The session started with the recitation of Holy Quran. Mr. Allauddin Khilji, Resident Director Aurat Foundation Quetta welcomed the participants and introduction of participants. After the introduction Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, Director Programmes AF has given the brief introduction of AF / Jazba project. After this, Mr. Ali Imran (Consultant), has given a brief presentation on Global Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and he also briefed about the Members Provincial Assembly on their role in ensuring gender-equality through implementation of SDG-5.

Further, Mr. Ali explained the role of Parliamentarians in this regard. Discussion was held for the conservation of SDG 5 and participants shared their views and thoughts. He further said that the role of parliamentarians is very important in the consultation and decision making process of Gender Equality policy in Balochistan. He added that member of Provincial Assembly can provide legislative accountability representation and budget support to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 5. The SDGs need to play the full role of MPAs.

Mr. Qadir Nayel said that the biggest problem in Balochistan is data collection but the provincial government is working on it. The ongoing development work in my constituency is in accordance with the SDGs in our central council. There are also women from whom development schemes related to women have been included in the PSDP. We believe in SDGs.

Mr. Sana Baloch, Mr. Ahmed Nawaz and Mr. Zabid Reiki said that commissions are formed for implementation of laws but unfortunately after legislation here majority of laws are not rules of business. SDGs task force formed in the Provincial Assembly but in three years, there has not been a single meeting conducted. 25 MPAs are member in the SDG task force committee, but the majority may not know about the SDGs.

Participants discussed inherent and historical role of women. They also proposed interventions at research, policy advocacy and grassroots’ mobilisation for ensuring women’s role in SDGs. Many examples are shared that how small behavioral change lead to big evolution. The participants appreciated the work of Aurat Foundation, South Asia Partnership Pakistan and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and had given their valuable input in this regard.

Meeting With Women Voter Network, Political Workers And Young Activists

Aurat Foundation organized the meeting with Women Voter Network, political workers and young activists of JAZBA on 12th July, 2021 at Rawalpindi district. The meeting comprised of two groups. One with the political workers and other with the women voter network. It was an interactive meeting that how JAZBA is working and what are the spaces that can be created with this project. It was participatory and healthy discussion.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Arshad Gill from Global Affairs Canada. Many political workers, District and Tehsil representatives, lawyers, media personals and young activists and minority group was part of the meeting. The meeting was participatory, brainstorming with their experiences and ideas that enabled participants to innovate ideas and perspectives. Each of the participants was given chance to actively participate in the meeting to share their views and experience. There is an aura of comfort and mutual understanding among the participants that generated adherence and their full and devoted attention.

Ms. Shafaq, has given the overview of their work in JAZBA in two years and shared the achievements and challenges in their working.

Mr. Arshad talked about the spaces where still women can create their space. Participants talked about the barriers and hurdles to enhance the participation of women in Local Government system. How can we increase women seats and participation in Local government and what provision JAZBA can provide to its groups. The group talked about the minorities that what are the hurdles they are facing and what are the spaces for their participation to increase.

Mr. Arshad also talked to women voter network that how are they working and what are the ground realities in their communities. Mr. Arshad discussed about the hurdles and barriers for their working and how can they further enhance their outreach and working in their constituencies.

In the end, it was decided that these young activists will form women voter network through advocacy in their District Rawalpindi. These political workers will further mobilize and advocate for the increase in representation of women in Local government up to thirty three percent. This meeting was a guideline for the groups to continue their struggle for increase in women participation.

Integrating Vulnerable Communities Inputs to Inclusive Development Roadmap in Pakistan

Aurat Foundation and Club de Madrid organized an online session "Integrating Vulnerable Communities Inputs to Inclusive Development Roadmap in Pakistan".
The session brought together Kjell Mange Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway and Member of Club de Madrid with the leaders from religious and ethnic minorities to strengthen strategies and foster consensus between state and minorities around the need to implement the Sustainable Development Goals in an inclusive and participatory manner. Prime Minister Bondevik highlighted the need of interfaith harmony and establishment of forums for dialogue between state and ethnic and religious minorities. He also highlighted that the key legal, political and cultural steps are to be taken to create an inclusive environment for development. Norway has been successful to reduce inter-group tensions and to integrate the migrated and indigenous local Sami communities in Agenda 2030 dialogue process. He appreciated the contribution made by the Pakistan origin immigrants to Norway and vows his support for the integration of religious and ethnic minorities and interfaith harmony.
Mr. Naeem Mirza, Executive Director Aurat Foundation highlighted that the women from religious and ethnic communities are at the risks of multiple vulnerabilities and recommended that there should be exchange of information and knowledge between global north and south. He also said that women's empowerment can be better ensured with their political participation, at all levels.

Mr. Ramesh Singh Arora MPA highlighted that the religious and cultural tourism is key and it can support further integration of Sikh community development in Pakistan. He said that the sikh brethren from all over world acknowledges the warm hospitality and secure environment provided to them in Pakistan.
Ms. Mary James Gill, former MPA highlighted the need of socio-economic development of the marganlised groups within Christian communities. She also stressed for the inclusive curriculum and effective participation of minorities in the mainstream political discourse. Mr. Qadir Ali Nail MPA Balochistan underlined that there is significant decrease in the number of terrorist attacks against Hazara Community in the recent past. He stressed the need for inter-sectarian dialogue to ensure peace and development in Balochistan province.

Ms. Tanzila Qambrani MPA said that the Sheedi tribes in Sindh and Balochistan needs to be socio-economically developed. She also stressed the need of inclusion of minority groups in implementation and monitoring of Agenda 2030 in Pakistan.

Mr. Ali Imran, Senior Expert Club de Madrid said that the inclusion in anchored in two principles; first the Article 36 of the constitutions which binds that the state shall safeguard the legitimate rights and interest of the minorities and secondly Agenda 2030 principle of "Leaving no one behind". He said that in Pakistan's complex political culture and diverse society, it is particularly important to adopt an inclusive approach to include religious and ethnic minorities inputs to planning, implementation and monitoring of Agenda 2030.

Since Pakistan is going to present its Voluntary National Review Report (VNR) to High Level Political Forum in 2021, the panelist and participants stressed to include religious and ethnic minorities inputs.

Mr. Rafael Moreno from Club de Madrid summarized the discussion and vowed to continue Club de Madrid support to Pakistan under Shared Societies Programme. The session was attended by large group of civil society including academia, social & political activists, lawyers, women leaders, media, students and others.

Paving the Ways – providing the resources to the skill

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Pakistan's economy has suffered badly. Social distancing, lockdown, and the closure of businesses have had enormous economic consequences for small wage earners. In this regard, The UAE Embassy, in accordance with the UAE's humanitarian and developmental framework, launched the women empowerment initiative under the title "Paving the way" in cooperation with the Aurat Foundation and the UN Women 16th February 2021 at Serena Hotel, Islamabad.

The Chief Guest of events was H.E. Hammad Obaid Alzaabi, Ambassador of UAE to Pakistan, Ms. Sharmeela Rasool, Country Representativity UN Women and Dr. Alyia Hashmi Khan, Treasurer of Aurat Foundation Board of Governors and Members of Prime Minister Economic Advisory Council.

Ms. Amina Javeed, Representative of Embassy of UAE gave the welcome remarks and shared the programme introduction of paving the ways. The purpose behind inviting them today is to provide hands-on information to skilled home-based women about the on-going latest trends and how by using these trends they can generate more profit for their business.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador for Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi, has maintained that his country is working in partnership with other countries and the United Nations to promote the rights of women and girls across the world. Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi highlighted the role of women in the development of family and society and reminded that the UAE is fully committed to the promotion of women's rights and considers the empowerment of women fundamental to the development of a modern and progressive society. He said women participate on an equal basis in civil, economic and political life in the UAE. He recalled that according to the IMF World Competitiveness Yearbook 2020, the UAE ranked first in the female parliamentary representation index, as women comprise 50pc of the Federal National Council (FNC). Women make up 34pc of the Emirates Mars Mission team that successfully launched "Hope Probe" to discover the red planet, which interred the Mars orbit last week. Sarah Al Amiri, the 33-year-old scientist, led the UAE's Hope orbiter mission to Mars. The ambassador thanked the Aurat Foundation and UN Women for supporting the women empowerment cause in Pakistan.

Ms. Sharmeela Rasool, Country Representativity UN Women said that with COVID-19, the multidimensional gender inequalities and gender gaps have exacerbated. Women are immensely affected, as they are more exposed to health risks, loss of income, take on a larger share of unpaid care work and face a heightened threat of gender-based violence during social confinement measures. She focused on to take joint efforts for achieving the gender equality.

Dr. Alyia Hashmi Khan said that Better and more meaningful financial inclusion may prove to be the key to unlocking the potential for micro and small enterprises to grow, reducing the exposure of poor and rural communities to income shocks, dynamizing growth, and promoting more sustainable and equitable development. Digital channels and innovative product designs have the potential to offer new and better value propositions for women.

On this occasion, Ms. Aliaa Sarwat Mustafa Al Serafi, Wife of Egypt Ambassador and Ms. Marim Alfridi shared the best practices of women' ecnomic empowerment while Ms. Vaneeza Ahmed, model, actress and designer, Ms. Abida Malik, President Behbud Botique, Cafe Behbud and Behbud Crafts, Amber Qazi the CEO of Funky Bakes and Ms. Fiza Siddiqui, Ayra Clothes, Robina Akhtar, tailoring expert, and Robina Shafiq CEO of online and frozen food shared their success stories as entrepreneurs.

Ms. Mumtaz Mughal Director Programmes of Aurat Foundation thanked the UAE Embassy, UN Women, sparkers, community women leaders to join hands and make the event successful. The event concluded by distribution of sewing machines and other supplies to home-based workers with basic skills.

Launching Ceremony of the Research Study on "Violence Against Women & Girls in the Times of Covid-19 Pandemic 2020 and Commemoration of 12 February, National Women's Day

Aurat Foundation in collaboration of South Asia Partnership Pakistan organized a launching ceremony of its Research Study titled "Violence against Women & Girls in the Times of Covid-19 Pandemic" under the auspices of the project "JAZBA – Democracy and Empowered Women or Jamhoriat aur Baikhtiar Aurat" on Friday, 12 February, 2021 at Margala Hotel, Islamabad. The study was being launched on 12 February, which is Pakistani National Women's Day, to commemorate this day by paying tributes to all those who blazed the trail of struggle for women's rights and ending all forms of discrimination against them.

Launching ceremony was chaired by Ms. Shandana Gulzar Khan, Member, National Assembly of Pakistan and Chairperson, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians. Mr. Christopher Khng, Head of Cooperation, High Commission of Canada in Pakistan also graced the occasion with his virtual presence. Among them Dr. Aliya Hashmi Khan, Member Prime Minister Economic Advisory Council, Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen, Gender and GBV expert, Mr. Naeem Ahmad Mirza, Executive Director, Aurat Foundation Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, Director Programmes, Aurat Foundation, Mr. Irfan Mufti, Team Leader JAZBA Project, SAP-Pk also spoke at the event.

Ms. Shandana Gulzar Khan, Member, National Assembly of Pakistan and Chairperson, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians said that there is dire need to end violence in our society so that everyone can breathe freely. There are opportunities to link such programmes with parliamentary platform of SGDs.

Mr. Christopher Khung, Head of Cooperation, High Commission of Canada in Pakistan stated that research report has pointed out some important trends of out of court settlements cases that needs to be focused to work on women survivors/victims of violence range from two-year-old girls to middle-aged married women. He said that women survivors/victims come from all socio-economic backgrounds – from the very poor to the middle class and violence occurs any and everywhere at education institutions, in offices, and at homes. He also stated that child sexual abuse and exploitation is a common problem in society and often ends in out of court settlements as women cave under pressure from family members, neighbors, relatives, community members, police officers and others who push women to drop their court cases and release the accused.

Ms. Aliya Hashmi, Board Member, member of Economic Advisory, stated that Aurat Foundation has been building women capacity from ages. She has given tribute to Ms. Nigar Ahmed and was thankful to her from all women community. She said that VAWG/VAW is a global pandemic. Anecdotal evidence has long suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of VAW in society. In Pakistan, a country where men have long denied women their rights, VAW is common, backed by unsubstantiated notions of honour. This report shines a light on the problem and uses empirical qualitative and quantitative evidence to document the rise of VAW during the pandemic.

Mr. Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Executive Director, Aurat Foundation stated that there is global movement in the world for the elimination of violence against women and girls. UN should bound all countries in the world though treaty to take affirmative action for the elimination of violence against women and girls. He also stated that Implementation of laws is the responsibility of the duty bearers an State is responsible for legislation. Our parliamentarians should focus on the human and financial resources while enacting laws for women and girls. There is need to build visible, actual, inclusive alliances with the most vulnerable groups of women and girls including trans people amidst the pandemic COVID-19 to demonstrate solidarity and alignment of the agenda 2030.

Ms Mumtaz Mughal, Director Programmes stated that we all are here to present tribute to struggle of Pakistani women. We all are here to celebrate women's achievements and their struggle for women empowerment. She said that there is need to mainstream policies in context of gender and inclusion in all policies and budgets and actually allocating matching monetary resources to address the issue through gender and multidisciplinary experts and rehabilitation of the survivors of violence.

The key findings of the review and analysis of the data were presented by Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen. She said that 2297 cases of VAW reported in the 25 districts from January to December 2020. Despite the problem of underreporting during COVID and the limited sample size, the number of cases is shockingly high. Doing a month-to-month analysis of the cases reveals that at the peak of the pandemic in July, cases of VAW were at their highest. Following this, cases dropped again but rose in September due to a resurgence of COVID. 57% of all cases were reported from Punjab, 27% from Sindh, 8% from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 6% from Gilgit-Baltistan and 2% from Balochistan. Of all the provinces, Punjab reported the highest incidents of murder, rape, suicide, acid burning, kidnapping and miscellaneous violence against women cases (including domestic violence, child and forced marriages, dowry and inheritance). Sindh had the most "honour" killings in the country. The number of reported cases of abduction were the highest, followed by murder and rape. In Balochistan, the number of reported murders was the highest followed by the number of rapes. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, murders were the highest followed by suicides and rapes. In Gilgit-Baltistan, suicides were the most prevalent followed by acid crimes and murder.