News - Aurat Foundation

Launching Ceremony of Participatory Policy Assessment

Launching ceremony of participatory policy assessment on Socio-Economic rights of women working in agriculture sector was held on 30th Oct 2018 which was graced by Honorable Tsakhia Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia (2009-17), Mr. Naeem A Mirza, Executive Director AF, Mr. Rafael ,Program Officer Club de Madrid,Mr Muhammad Sohail ,Additional Secretary Labour ,Mr Hasnat ,Team Lead, Ms Mumtaz Mughal , Resident Director AF Lahore spoke on the occasion.

The aim of the ceremony was to share the findings and recomendations of participatory assesment report on promotion and protection of socio-economic rights of agrarian women in Punjab.

The event was presided by the Tskhlagin Elbgdore, former president of Mangolia ,In his keynote address he expressed his deep concerns over the pathetic situation which these women are facing and not being paid according to their labor and considered it very unjust and discriminatory . He appreciated the efforts of the Aurat Foundation,s team members who work hard to compile the research and highlighted the plight of agrarian women He coated the over all working conditions, key findings mentioned in the assessment report which shows that they are engaged as farmers and workers in agricultural development development through participation in farm operation s, livestock farming performing tasks , which include fetching water , fuel , rice plantation and dairy production harvesting key agriculture outputs , such as cotton , fruits , vegetables .he said that on average women spend around 12 to 15 hours daily on agricultural activities He added that wagesetting through collective bargaining unions is rare as trade unions stand shrunk in number .He elaborated that these women and their work should be considered at domestic , society and state level .He suggested a strong implementation mechanism must be in place to address the situation of health , social protection , labor , wages and work load which these women are bearing hardships in their daily lives .He also Emphasized that a specific mechanism should be developed on the policy making and legislation. In the absence of any policy and laws as pensioned in the report , new law and policy should be formed to give these women protection

Mr Rafeel Program Officer Club de Madrid while talking on the ocassion,gave the introduction of project partners and findings of assessment report and said that this is an eye opener which shows the very poor socio economic condition and there is a dire need to addressed by the related stake holders.

Mr Naeem Ahemd Mirza , Executive Director Aurat Foundation emphasized that agriculture in Pakistan though continues to hold the largest infrastructure and workforce base with nearly 70 percent women working in the informal sector, its GDP ratio in the national economy has drastically fallen down with the dramatic expansion of service sector in recent decades. The economic wizards of the new government in Pakistan should focus on this aspect and must frame such macro-economic policies and plans that industry and agriculture get back their due share in national economy.

He further narratted that findings of the report for the protection of socio-economic rights of agrarian women are solid and should be taken into account and urged that there should be sex disaggregated data, an appropriate and gender-responsive agriculture policy, social protection safety nets focussing on the needs of women farmers, equal wages and legal recognition of their status.

Mr Hasnat javaid ,Team Leader gave the detail presentation about the assessment report findings in the light of interviews with the agrarian women and other stakeholders with the highlights of the the key finding .

Mumtaz Mughal Resident Director of Aurat Foundation shared that the Participatory Policy Assessment aims to identify gaps in the provision of socio-economic rights to women in the agriculture sector in Punjab under the existing labour laws, and policy framework in the context of GSP+ and SDGs. It also aims to provide policy recommendations and a road map for lawmakers, policymakers as well as civil society organizations and other stakeholders for the promotion and protection of agrarian women’s labour rights.presented the key results of this report and gave the facts and figures which shows the socio economics condition of these women 59% women cannot spend their earnings according to their will . 65% women work in fields and also in their homes ,64.71%women have no access to their family inheritance documents , so they cannot have access to the micro credit schemes and modern technology services , 77% women have no information about the institutions are working for small loans 92% women have no access to the health facilities 68% women have to work during their pregnancy and they have no proper food and nutrition, so they become sick 41% women face harassment while they travel to their work place ,87% women do not know about the legislation the insitutions working for their protection ,21% face sexual violence , they do not know that in this case to whome they should report , 90% women are illiterate , 60% donot have information about their right to unionize , these women have not given the right to represent in the local bodies due to the lacuna s in local government system 2013, there for they are out of the descion making process and as a result their socio economic issues are being over looked .

Mr. Sohail Ahmed ,Additional Secretory Punjab labor Department highlighted the women Empowerment package initiatives in Punjab favouring rural women in general and highly acknowledged the findings of partipatory assesment report and showed his commitment to include the recomendation in forth coming labour policy.

One Day Provincial Conference to resent the Roadmap:

On the eve of 30th October 2018,A confrence was held was with Mr. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj Former President, Mongolia & Mr. Rafael, Program officer Club de Madrid to discuss the proposed road map in the light of Participatory Policy assesment The main agenda of this meeting was to look forward for the policy changes.

During the meeting,Ms. Ashifa Riaz Fatana Minister for Women Development Department appreciated the efforts of Aurat Foundation & showed her commitment in this regard.

Mr. Muhammad Ajmal Cheema Minister for Social welfare Department also encouraged this Participatory assessment report, and said that we should work for the social security of agrarian women. Mr. Salman Sufi, Mr. Zulfiqar Younis Director Program CSA, Mr. Mubashir Iqbal Mayor Lahore City, Ms. Mehnaz Raffi, senior Politician gave their input on the findings of participatory assessment Report. They were in a view that collaborated efforts should be taken for the socio-economic rights of agrarian women rights in Punjab. Mr. Inayat Ullah Lak, Director General Punjab Assembly presented the shield to Mr. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.

At the closing of the event Mian Imran Masood former Minister Education presented shield on behalf of Ch Pervaz Elahi, Speaker Punjab Assembly to Honorable Tsakhia Elbegdorj, President Mongolia (2009-17). Mr. Rafael presented the copy of PPA report to Ms. Ashifa Raiz Minister for Women Development Punjab.

A Road Map of Promotion and Protection of Socio-economic Rights of Women Working in Agriculture Sector in Punjab was shared respectively.

Advocacy &Lobbying Meeting with Punjab Assesmbly Office :

A meeting with Punjab Assesmbly staff was orgnized on 31st October 2018 where Ms Mumtaz Mughal shared the objectives of INSPIRED+Pakistan Project and the findings of Participatory policy asssesment to push the members on the required legislation for the protection mechanism to promote socio-economic rights of agrarian women in Punjab.

Meeting with Governor punjab:

Advocacy and lobbying meeting with,Ch Server ,Honourable Governer punjab was arranged in which INSIPRED+Pakistan team alongwith

Mr. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj Former President, Mongolia , Mr. Rafael, Program officer Club de Madrid and other AF team .The important findings of Participatory assesment report were shared and highlighted the importance of relavant legislations to protect and promote the socio-economic rights of agrarian women in Punjab.

A strategic planning and consultation meeting of Mumkin alliance

Mumkin Alliance is an alliance of 18 NGOs, since 2008 Work for elimination of violence against women. A strategic planning meeting was held to analyses the situation of violence against women and girls in province of Punjab. In order to make EVAW/G alliance an active and effective body and to give it a strategic direction towards achievement of its goal, UN Women facilitated EVAW/G alliances in all four provinces in formulating their own provincial strategy with action plan for next 5 years. The strategy in Punjab is developed through a consultative process involving bilateral and multilateral consultation with members of the alliance. The Mumkin alliance strategy (2019-2023) held with the members in October 2018. The performance review and recommendations from these consultations and review helped in the identification of strategic focus areas and action plan for the next 5 years.

Meeting with European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM)

Two members of European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) had a meeting with AF Karachi team on 24th of July 2018.The EU has an established methodology for observing elections. AF team shared with them that Aurat Foundation has been engaged with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and political parties since the early 90’s and thus AF’s experience spans on two and a half decades. Most of our work was carried out in collaboration with citizens’ networks and groups and local community-based organisation. Main focus of our work was to support political parties for putting women’s rights agenda on their manifestos, facilitate and support the ECP and local government election authorities in the conduct of elections.AF team apprised them about the obstacles being faced by women and the measures being taken for women’s empowerment.

One day Election Observer Training

Sindh Commission for Status of Women in collaboration with Aurat Foundation conducted one day election observer training at Aurat Foundation Karachi Office on 23-07-2018, Master trainer Ms. Sadia Shakeel and Ms. Seema Sheikh from Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) delivered the session according to section 232 of observer in election 2017 Act. The Chairperson SCSW Ms. Nuzhat Shireen along with Civil society representatives participated the workshop.

Mumkin Alliance

There’s been an inexcusable lot of silence in make culture about this ongoing tragedy of men’s VAW/G… we need to break that silence. Now, it is time to go beyond denial and observe speedy, sincere and simple solutions because irrespective of the complexity of the VAW, it is preventable. Mumkin Alliance
Lahore 7 March, 2018 (PR) Members of Mumkin Alliance for EVAW demand to improve violence against women and girl’s protection, response and prevention system. VAW/G continues to be a severely underreported crime in Pakistan and globally. Incompetent investigators and inadequate resources are indicate to as the most serious problems facing criminal investigative services in Pakistan. Prevention and response to GBV requires prevention, response (survivor assistance), and coordination. There is need to develop prevention and response strategies. The Punjab Government has made some visible progress in other legal reforms for the protection of women but detailed policy framework for promised legislation for protection of women survivors of violence has not yet been developed. The views were shared in Strategic dialogue with stakeholders for strengthen networking with Mumkin Alliance to improve the situation of VAW/G and GBV support services in Punjab.
Mumtaz Mughal, Resident Director Aurat Foundation said that according to AF VAW reports, more than 10,000 reported every year. According to Punjab Police investigation branch report, 181 women are murder on the name honor killing. VAW/G is still treated as a lesser crime. There’s been an inexcusable lot of silence in make culture about this ongoing tragedy of men’s violence against women and children… we need to break that silence. Now, it is time to go beyond denial and observe speedy, sincere and simple solutions because irrespective of the complexity of the VAW, it is preventable.
Salman Abid Executive Director IDEAS said that VAW/G can prevent through developing a fair and equitable reforming laws, policy and procedures based on international human rights standards. There is need to strengthen links and cooperation between and among state and non-state institutions to ensure survivor’s safety and offender accountability.
Nabeela Shaheen, Advocate said that Criminal justice system could not be seen in isolation as police were a vital part of this system and gaps needed to be filled. Sensitization to deal with human or minority rights issues was completely missing in police. Irfan Mufti, Deputy Director SAP-PK said that civil society can help government to improve the value and relevance of community-level security initiatives. Mumkin Alliance for EVAW need to be represented and contribute to policy discussions in order to play an effective role in monitoring the sector’s accountability.
Ume Laila, Executive Director Home Net Pakistan said that Victims of violence not only suffer brutal denials of their personal rights but insult is routinely added to their injury by a callous society. The violence that women and girls suffer from is thus not only physical, but also societal. The cost of psychological is very high. Governments should take up GBV on their priority agenda.
Bushra Khaliq Executive Director WISE said that violence against women is embedded in our cultural practices. Strengthening oversight and monitoring of the justice sector can improve GBV services provided by government. Strong coordination is needed among women rights organizations with GBV service providers.
Muhammad Salman, Director Planning Social welfare shared that Social Welfare is going to revamp the Darul-Amans in Punjab by providing timely, equitable access to justice and effective enforcement of Violence against women protection Act 2016. Shazia Sarwar, Assistant to I.G. Punjab for Gender Crime said that Punjab police is taking initatives to improve the police culture. Front desk and women help desk has been set up in police stations. Gender sensitization trainings has been started to build the capacity of police in gender perspective.
Kishwar Shaheen Awan, Provincial Commissioner, National Commission on Human Rights said registration has been started to equip defenders with the knowledge and skills to make strategic use of the international human rights system. Commission has started to review the laws in lines of human rights. 181 complaint has been addressed. SHe stressed that Education is key in ending abuse. NCHR has been started work on revision of curriculum with human and women rights lens. Lubna Mansor, Director Human Rights said that Women in Distress and Detention fund has been reviewed. The objects of this Fund are to provide financial and legal assistance to the women languishing in jails on account of different allegations and those who face extreme hardships. Now, Survivors of VAW can get financial help through it.
Alia Khan, Manager PCSW shared that The Punjab Women’s Toll-Free Helpline 1043 is available 24/7 to register the complaint about Workplace harassment, Gender discrimination, Property disputes and inheritance rights, Domestic violence, and other. She said that by Introducing legislative and enforcement mechanisms to promote and protect human rights and to overcome barriers confronting marginalized and vulnerable groups.

One Day Training of Social Mobiliser’s

Aurat Foundation organized a “One Day Training of Social Mobilizers” on exercising her right to vote: civic and political pathways to women’s political participation in Pakistan. 32 Social Mobiliser’s participated in training session (16 Social Mobilizer from AF & 16 from SAP-Pk). Training was divided into five sessions. First session was comprised of welcome note, introduction of participants and objectives and background of the training. In second session, a quiz was planned to assess the social mobilisers knowledge about on election day activities i.e. voter education campagin done by ECP, 8300 process, poling scheme and turn out of female voters in last elections etc. In third session, a plannery session was conducted on “Why women do not vote as much as men do in Pakistan” and “Importance of Women’s vote” to increase the information and knowledge level of participations. In fourth session, Exercise, Group work and Presentations were done on how we motivate the female voters for voting? (Group exercise and mobilization tips), Process of intervention (step wise explanation of various stages of the intervention): Step 1: Door pitch (introduction of CSO and their visit of coming- elections, ECP measures, why women should vote), Step 2: Review and explain Checklist (recording sheet for men/women present in the HH), Step 3: Ice-breaking session (engage in a conversation about the following: when is election day, voting being everyone’s right accountability, why people don’t vote especially women, gender gap in voter turnout), Step 4: Agenda setting Women: video, info brochures, mock ballot, pledge to vote. Men: video, motivational script, info brochures, pledge to facilitate women in your HH to vote. (Demo of what the motivational script will look like for men in this step which will then be followed by step 5-7). Step 5: Video (show video: “ek vote”) followed by discussion on the video. Step 6: Discuss Information Brochure 1 Step 7: Discuss Information Brochure 2. Activities during demo of Information Brochure 2 (step 7): CNIC reminder, Demo of 8300, Mock voting exercise (women only) and Verbal Pledge to vote (men and women). In fifth session, finalized the work plan of mobilizers visit, distribution of union councils and material. The training was conducted by Anjum Rafiq, Samina Javeed, Nabeela Shaheen and Sara Anam.

In the end of training, Mr. Tahir Mansoor Khan, Director Elections, Provincial Election Commissioner, Punjab and Ms. Huda Ali Gohar, Public Relation Officer ECP, Punjab p in closing of training. Mr. Tahir Mansoor Khan shared the initatives which ECP has taken for voter’s facilitation. Both ECP representatives shared about role of voter education committees and gender and disability electoral working group, ECP initiative’s i.e. 8300, GIS polling scheme, training material, code of conduct for observers and candidates, result transmission system (RTS) and others. They also appreciated AF efforts and contribution towards voter education campaign and election observation. They hoped that AF and others CSOs interventions will be helpful to increase women’s turn out in up comping election as well as build the trust on democratic process.

Sixth WLP National TOT May 26-31, 2018 Shangrila Resorts, Murree

Pakistan being among 20 global partners with Women Learning Partnership, USA held its 6th National Training of Trainers in Murree. Aurat Foundation leading Pakistan’s chapter of the partnership facilitated the NTOT from May 26-31, 2018 at Shangrila Resorts in Murree.

A Pre institute activity was held with WLP trainers during the first two days of the training to plan and execute WLP’s training manuals on democratic governance, introduce these manuals and give basic orientation of the manuals to the participants. Trainers included Ms Rabeea Hadi, Ms Myra Imran, Ms Hina Akram and Mr Ali Shabbar.

This was the right time to conduct this training because the manuals are very relevant to current political scenario of the country. The group with whom the training was conducted included a dynamic mix of new and old political party workers thus the experiences shared by senior workers helped the young to understand basics of democracy, political struggles undergone and their rights as responsible voters. Thus the interest level of the participants remained high throughout the training as most of them are contesting elections at council level during general elections of July 2018.

The training was attended by 19 members and topics included (but not limited to) were leadership, culture of democracy, human rights and violence and conflict and governance. The mode of training remained interactive where the participants were engaged in the sessions through group works and role plays. Sessions were planned based on the modules, Leading to Choices, Beyond Equality and Leading to a Culture of Democracy. Group projects were assigned to the participants mainly focussing on how they intend to replicate the training in their respective communities which were presented by them at the end of the training.

Celebrations of Historical Accomplishment of Sindh Home Based Workers Act, 2018

Aurat Foundation & HomeNet Pakistan in collaboration with Labour& Human Resource Department of Government of Sindh held an event to celebrate the passage of law for home based workers and to applaud Members of Provincial Assembly of Sindh at hotel Move ‘n’ Pick Karachi. This program was attended by a large number of people including workers, trade unionists, employers, government officials, & MPAS from different political parties.

Syed Nasir Husain Shah Minister LHRD applauded and appreciated efforts of Aurat Foundation and HomeNet Pakistan for holding a distinguished and generous celebration for members of Provincial Assembly Sindh, field workers and civil society. He thanked the MPAs for joining hands and specially opposition members for no-resistance to the said Act on the day of presenting at Assembly. He said that this law will enable thousands of unregistered HBWs in province, to get status of worker and recognition of their work, as well as making them eligible for facilities and privileges as a worker. He hoped and assured that the strategy to implement this law will be chalked out timely by the department.

Ms. Ume Laila, Executive Director of HomeNet shared the history of the struggle for the rights of home based workers and appreciated Sindh Government for enacting the law for Home based workers.

Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director ,Aurat Foundation thanked the Minister, Secretary LHRD, MPAs, workers, HBWs, activists for their long time efforts and struggle in the process of legislation and said it was not only the celebrations but also a farewell for the MPAs, as we want to recognize their efforts at the end of this government.

In recognition of honour and contribution, shields were presented to Members of provincial Assembly, Minister and Secretary of Labour and Human Resource Department, WDD officials, field workers and activists.

Following MPAs from different political parties were presented shields of Honour: Rana Ansar, Nusrat Seher Abbasi, Irum Azeem Farooqi, KulsoomChandio, SorathThebo, Saira Shahlani MPA, WaqarHussain Shah, ShafiJamot, Ameer Hyder Sheerazi, Ghazala Siyal, KhairunNisa Mughal. Representatives of PILER, PFFF, WDFP, Legal Aid Society, P.H.C, PSWS, SEARCH, SPARC, NOW Communities, HunarGhar,CDF, UNICEF and UNWOMEN also participated in the event.

Bi Monthly Meeting District Action Committee – Karachi

Aurat Foundation has initiated a project titled "Empowerment of Women Home-based workers and excluded groups in Pakistan" in partnership with Home Net Pakistan with the support of UN Women implemented in Karachi and Thatta. Under this project District Action Committees (DAC’s) are formed in these districts. DAC basically is a group of members of different stakeholders at district level, they include home-based workers (HBW’s), organizations working on HBWs, government departments, (Labour Dept, Social Welfare, Women Development, Local Govt, Human Rights) trade unions officials, lawyers, political leaders, NGO’s representatives, disable women, transgenders, and media.

The Sindh Assembly passed Home Based Workers bill, 2018 on May 09, 2018 to protect the rights of home based workres. Aurat Foundation conducted a Meeting of District Action Committee – Karachi on May 21, 2018.

Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director – Karachi shared the law clause by clause and sought recommendations for rules of business of the Law. Participants of the meeting gave their suggestions and recommendations for the implementation mechanism of this law.

Representatives of Labour department, Women Development Department, Associated Press of Pakistan, Pakistan Hidu Council, Women Development Foundation – Pakistan, Hunar Ghar, Entrepreneur and Community Development Institute, Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum and Raana Liaquat Community Center were present in the meeting.

Peer Learning and Exposure Visit to AF Karachi

Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA) under its Community Leadership Development Program trained approximately 400 Local Body Representatives (LBR) in districts of KP and Sindh. The trained LBR including men and women elected on General seats and seats reserved for Women, labour, peasant and minority councilors. The shortlisted Councilors (50 from each project district) were engaged in various activities like quarterly and monthly meetings, engagements with elected representatives and public officials and interactions with organizations working on GBV issues.

In this regard TDEA planned a visit to Aurat Foundation Karachi. The elected representatives (LBR) who have sound knowledge of their role and responsibilities as a member of Council were included in this activity. The purpose of the visit was to orient the trained LBRs and learn through AF’s hands-on experience to deal with GBV issues and its prevention. The exposure visit was attended 16 local councilors from Hyderabad, Jamshoro and Mitiari.

Mr Nauman Hafeez, Project Manager, TDEA-FAFEN, introduced the participants. Ms Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director, AF Karachi, gave the history of women’s movement and overview of AF’s long standing contribution towards women empowerment in the society. AF’s ongoing projects related to HBWs – UNWomen, strengthening of local councilors – Oxfam GB and strengthening legislative assemblies –Subai EU were also shared in terms of linkage development with the local councilors. The local councilors showed great interest in continuing the meaningful engagements with AF. The strategy for combatting GBV under GEP was also explained at length to the councilors. GBV prevention mechanisms set by various human right organizations to control GBV issues in those districts were also discussed. AF shared their referral / contact details for facilitating the GBV cases being dealt with the local councilors in the respective districts.