Ms. Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director, Aurat Foundation Karachi and Ms. Fareeda Tahir, Program Officer, arranged an advocacy meeting with Mr. Ahmed Bakhsh Narejo, Secretary Minorities, Government of Sindh.  In the meeting Mr. Ahmed Bakhsh Nareejo said that their department is working for safeguarding, protecting and promoting the rights of minorities. “The Government of Pakistan is responsible to guarantee equal rights to minority communities under Article 25 of the Constitution and we are coordinating with Federal Government on minority affairs”, he further said.

While briefing the Secretary Minorities on Aurat Foundation’s work, Ms. Mahnaz Rahman, said that they are continuously lobbying with MNAs, MPAs, Government officials, Police Department, Lawyers, NGOs, CBOs and minorities leaders on women’s rights issues.  During the last few years Sindh Assembly  has passed some important women and minorities rights bills like ‘The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2013’, ‘The Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act 2013’, ‘The Sindh Hindu Marriage bill, 2015’, and  struggling  hard that the  Forced Conversion Bill shall also be passed from the Sindh Assembly.

Ms. Fareeda Tahir said that Aurat  Foundation has  conducted Focus Group Discussions with  minorities and one meetings with concerned government officials for the allocation of 5% quota of jobs for minorities.  

Under the LISTEN project, Aurat Foundation in collaboration with Oxfam GB and Ahsas Welfare Foundation, organized a launching ceremony of ZEWER (Zeal Efforts for Women Empowerment & Rights) project on International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2016, at Pakistan National Council of Art (PNCA), Islamabad. The project is attributed as an achievement of women leaders’ struggle. It would be implemented in four districts namely Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Nowshera and Attock. This collaborative effort was made to appreciate women leaders group efforts towards sustainability and continuity of LISTEN project. The project is aimed at right based advocacy and social development by providing education, skill and entrepreneurship to the deprived and marginalised girls in four districts at the first stage.

The event was attended by honourable guests like H.E. E. A. S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Deputy High Commissioner Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ambassador of Ukraine H.E. Volodymyr Lakomov, parliamentarians, social activist and women leaders groups.

On the occasion Mr. Naeem Ahmed Mirza, COO, Aurat Foundation, said that women are more than 50% of the population of Pakistan and hence deserve 50% share in jobs, and natural resources, land, education and development, and in fact half of the planet as per theme for this year’s International Women Day i.e. ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality.

Mr. Lakomov said that for empowerment education of women is necessary and women of Pakistan are brave for peace and prosperity of the nation their inclusion is necessary. While addressing the ceremony, Ms. Edirisinghe said that Pakistani women are hard worker and they are contributing a lot not only at national level but also international level. She gave example of Ms. Sharmeen Obaid and Ms. Malala Yousafzai. She said there is a need to make women stronger to build not only good economy but also good society.

Aurat Foundation celebrated the passage of landmark legislation the ‘Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016’ on 3 March 2016, at Avari Hotel, Lahore. The event was organized by AAWAZ Program in collaboration with Oxfam GB. Addressing the occasion, the speakers said that for the first time in the history of the country, a substantial protection is provided to the women against violence. They said that the government responded positively to the demands of civil society, particularly Aurat Foundation, with active participation and cooperation of members of the parliament both from treasury and opposition benches.

A large number of the members of Punjab Assembly and civil society organization including Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Begum Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din, Justice (R) Nasira Javed Iqbal, Ms. Uzma Bukhari, Ms. Faiza Malik, Dr Nousheen Hamid, Dr. Farzana Nazir, Ms. Shuneela Ruth, Ms. Shumila Aslam, former parliamentarians Ms. Mehnaz Rafi, Ms. Sajida Mir, Ms.  Amna Ulfat, Ms. Salman Sufi, senior member Punjab Government’s Special Monitoring Unit, Mr. Naeem Mirza, Chief Operating Officer, Aurat Foundation, Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, Resident Director Aurat Foundation Lahore, Mr. Harris Khalique, Team Leader DAI, Mr. Mohammad Tahseen, Executive Director SAP Pakistan, and  Mr.  Salman Abid, Regional head SPO.

Adviser to the Chief Minister Mr. Salman Sufi said, “We faced a lot of resistance to the Protection of Women against Violence law which shows that the bill covers all forms of violence against women. This is not a war between men and women”. He said that the law provided a comprehensive implementation strategy. He said that ambulances and legal and police help would be provided at protection centers. He also said that  the Government of Punjab would discuss reservations of the religious leaders on the law clause by clause.

Ms. Hameeda Wahid-ud-Din, Provincial Minister for Women Development, said the law had provided a mechanism for protection of women. Apart from protection centers, committees would also be constituted at district levels. Committee officers would be responsible for mediation.

Ms. Zakia Shahnawaz, Minister for Population Welfare and Environment, said, “there was a misconception that the PML-N was not a women-friendly party. This legislation has proved how wrong that is”.

Mr. Naeem Mirza appreciated the commitment by Ms. Faiza Malik from the Pakistan People’s Party and Ms. Nosheen Hamid from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), who had taken the bill forward. The passage of the bill is an outcome of years long struggle by the citizens of the Pakistan. He said the law would prevent all forms of violence against women by dealing with circumstances that lead to heinous crimes such as acid attacks and honour killings. He said 90 countries across the world had laws against domestic violence, including Saudi Arabia. “When will the Council of Islamic Ideology understand that the world has changed?” he further said.  He said the bill provided a comprehensive framework for the protection of women.

Ms. Mumtaz Mughal said, “Our effort towards legislation was started in 2002 and in subsequent years it was taken up in the National Assembly and the provincial assemblies by various lawmakers”.  She said the civil society had continued lobbying efforts for the passage of the bill under successive governments.

Mr. Mohammad Tahseen paid tribute to all the women members of Punjab Assembly who rose above party lines to vote for the bill. He further said effective implementation of law will provide a comprehensive solution of violence against women.

Ms. Mary Gill, MPA, Punjab Assembly, said most of the reservations against the bill were about a tracking bracelet on the accused. She said it was meant to be used only in case of repeat offenders. She said it would act as a deterrent. She also said the legislature had taken an important stand against a social evil.

The speakers called upon the government to ensure the effective implementation of the law and stressed to allocate sufficient budget for the smooth and effective working of various districts protection committees in this regard. The speakers welcomed the provision of the law to impose a penalty and imprisonment to the person for obstructing the protection officer in official proceedings.

Aurat Foundation conducted a ‘2-Day Capacity Building and Gender Sensitization Training on Pro-women Laws’ with prosecutors on 27-28 February, 2016, at PC Hotel, Karachi. Ms. Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director, briefed the committee about gender and explained the cultural influences that pertain to the restraints that arise regarding both feminine and masculine gender. This followed with a detailed discourse about CEDAW, an international women rights convention that aims to eradicate violence against women, which was signed by Pakistan in 1996. Among the six parts of the convention, the first four parts of the convention were discussed in detail. This followed a detailed session  on laws regarding women and human rights  in PPC and the constitution of Pakistan by Advocate Iqbal Detho.

On second day, Justice (R) Majida Rizvi, Chairperson Sindh Human Rights Commission, gaved  a presentation  to the committee of persecutors on the formation, struggles and the working of the Commission. She also mentioned the types of cases the commission deals with. Mr. Faizullah Korejo, SSP South, highlighted the problems of the prosecutors and the incoordination between the police and the prosecutors. The session adjourned with a certificate distribution ceremony by Ms Kulsoom Chandio,  Mr. Faizullah Korejo, Ms Mahnaz Rahman and Justice (R) Majida Rizvi. 

Aurat Foundation in collaboration with Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) organized two study circles consecutively on February 26 -27, 2016 at NathiaGali with members National Assembly from different political parties including MQM, PTI, JI and PMAP and members of political parties’ wings. The study circles were organized to build cross party consensus among parliamentarians on issues that need urgent response for policy and legislation. The first study circle was conducted on ‘Health Issues of Women and Girls in Pakistan and its Impact’. Ms. Saliha Ramay, an activist and expert on violence against women issues, highlighted the women and girl’s health issues with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health. It was highlighted that women and girls sexual and reproductive health issues have been neglected and never been discussed. It is very important to generate a discourse on these issues within the ambit of health as during the CSW’s 59th session our government took a back foot when these issues were highlighted at global level.

The second study circle was conducted on the ‘Child Marriages Restraint (Amendment) Bill 2014 and Religious Perspective’. After the bill was recently rejected by the Senate committee upon Council of Islamic Ideology declaring it as un-Islamic and blasphemous, it was critical to discuss the bill. The study circle reviewed the bill once again under Islamic perspective to find out the alternative options to raise it in the Senate again. At the end of both study circles parliamentarians committed to put questions and Calling Attention Notices collectively beyond party position. WPC also committed to organize another study circle on both issues within assembly premises.    

A delegation of civil society representatives met with Provincial Minister for Women Development Ms. Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din on 26 February 2016 at the office of Women Development Department to acknowledge her efforts for passing the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016.

Ms. Waheed-ud-Din, while talking to civil society representatives at his office said that effective implementation of the protection bill will be ensured. Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, Resident Director Aurat Foundation, Ms. Ruhi Maqbool, Regional Manager MDM, Mr. Salman Abid, Regional Head SPO, Ms. Ferzana Mumtaz, National Manager  Advocacy SAP-PK, Ms. Ume Laila Executive Director, Home Net Pakistan, Ms. Ambreen Fatima Actionaid, Former MPA Ms. Amna Ulfat, social and women rights activists Dr. Zarqa Tamour, Ms. Fakhra Tehreem, Ms. Sumera Saleem, Ms. Rizwana Waseem,  Mr. Abid Ali, Mr. Muhammad Zubair and representatives from Mumkin Alliance and civil society organizations were present at the occasion.

Ms. Hameeda Waheed-ud-Din said that efforts of civil society, women assembly members and Women Development Department were commendable for the passage of the protection bill. She said that implementation of the bill would be ensured while attention would also be paid to the awareness campaign. She said the purpose of the bill was to curb violence against women while it would also save family system in our society. 

Ms. Mumtaz Mughal Resident Director Aurat Foundation said that it was due to the continuous struggle of civil society and cooperation of the government that the bill had been passed. The fruits of this legislation are linked to its implementation in letter and spirit; as only a transparent system of complaints and quick reduce violence against women.

The representatives of civil society stressed that an awareness campaign regarding the rights of women should be made more effective. They congratulated the government on the passage of the bill and said that it would control violence against women and they would be able to play their due role in national development with more confidence.

Aurat Foundation’s Quetta office celebrated National Women’s Day at its office with human rights and women’s rights activists and members of Pakistan Gender Coalition (PGC) on 17 February 2016. A documentary on women’s rights, namely ‘Mien safar mien hoon’, produced by Gender Equity Programme of Aurat Foundation was also screened.

After a discussion, the participants recommended the formation of a larger group of civil society including members of PGC to outline women related issues in Balochistan. It was also decided to grow this network as advisory forum for interaction with government on issues of women’s and citizens concern. 

A consultative meeting was held with members of civil society and parliamentarians on pending pro-women legislation in Balochistan on 11 February 2016, at Provincial Assembly Balochistan. Meeting was chaired by Honourable Speaker Balochistan Assembly Ms. Raheela Hameed Durrani, Dr. Shama Ishaq, Chairperson Standing Committee on Women Development, Social Welfare, Youth and Minorities, and members of standing committee. Ms. Salma Qureshi, Director Women Development Department (WDD), Ms. Irum Mehmood, Advocate High Court, and Law Department official also attended the discussion.

The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the pro-women legislative agenda, which includes bill on establishment of Balochistan Commission on the Status of Women and Balochistan Acid throwing prevention, protection and rehabilitation of survivors bill.  Both bills were presented by Ms. Salma Qureshi and different provisions of bills were discussed in detail by all participants.

Ms. Raheela Durrani said that meetings of standing committees are being called on regular basis in order to work on the pending pro-women legislation. Ms. Durrani suggested to Law Department and Women Development Department to have Urdu translation of proposed bills. Ms. Saima Javaid of Aurat Foundation suggested that ‘acid throwing prevention bill’ needs more consultation with key stake holders for the finalization of the draft.  It was also suggested that rule of business of any future act should be prepared by the concerned department while working for draft of bill. This will make the process of implementation easy and rapid.   

Honourable Speaker appreciated civil society supports to legislative bodies for envisioning and implementation of pro women legislation. She ensured that all pro-women bills/ resolutions will be discussed in detail before tabling in the assembly.

Aurat Foundation hosted a dinner in the honour of renowned women’s rights activists, Ms. Kamla Bhasin and Ms. Chandni Joshi, on 29 January 2016, at AF office, Islamabad.  Both activists were presented with shields in recognition of their commitment and contribution to women’s movement in South Asia and their long association with Aurat Foundation.  The shield to Ms. Chandni Joshi was presented by Mrs. Anjum Riyazul Haque, Member Board of Governors, AF, and Ms. Kamla Bhasin received shield from Ms. Surriya Ameeruddin, former Senator and Member General Body, AF.  The dinner reception was attended by representatives of UN agencies, international and local NGOs as well as AF’s staff.

Concepts related to feminism were clarified as renowned activist Ms. Kamla Bhasin gave a detailed talk on ‘Contemporary Issues of Feminist Discourse and Challenges in South Asia’, on Friday 29 January 2016, at the National Press Club, Islamabad.  The talk was jointly organized by Aurat Foundation, SPO and Rozan from the platform of ‘One Billion Rising for Love, Peace and Justice’ campaign.

Ms. Kamla Bhasin said that feminism is an ideology that equals men and women. She called it a fight between two mentalities: “One mentality says that patriarchy is better, whereas the other says that equality is better. On both sides there are women and men.  There are women who are ready to kill their daughter before she is born. Women are involved in pornography. They are those who dance half naked in films of Bollywood. So there are both men and women, who protect and nurture patriarchy.”

She said that every constitution in the world is against discrimination. “If we believe in the constitution that advocates for equal rights, we cannot practice social and cultural norms in our homes and communities that discriminate and reinforce patriarchal notions making women powerless and insecure,” she said.

She stressed the need to differentiate between same and equal.  She said that institutions of family and education play critical role in defining the gender roles in the society. “When home becomes democratic and non-violent, only then the country and society become non-violent and democratic.”

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